Reading can be time-consuming, and it may be tempting to try to save time by getting GenAI tools to generate summaries of texts. Is this a good idea?
Learning benefits of reading:
It helps you understand topics more deeply.
It helps you see the different perspectives of various experts and the evidence on which their perspectives are based.
It helps you develop your own evidence-based perspective on the topic.
Impact of GenAI on reading for learning:
- Summaries generated by these tools may be inaccurate or lacking key information or ideas from the original text.
- Most GenAI tools aren’t transparent about what happens to any data entered into them, or what purposes it might be used for in future. If you don’t have an author’s written permission to do so, we don’t recommend that you put book chapters or journal articles into these tools.
- Instead, we recommend you read texts yourself and make notes as you read. Here are some strategies to help you read the text critically, and below are suggestions for using AI tools to get better outcomes.
Strategies for using GenAI for reading
1. Suggesting key experts and important readings
2. Explaining difficult concepts from the text
3. Generating examples of critical questions you can ask about the text
A word of advice: most GenAI tools aren’t transparent about what happens to any data or content entered into them, or what purposes it might be used for in future. If you don’t have an author’s written permission to do so, we don’t recommend that you put book chapters or journal articles into these tools. Uploading copies of copyright content that you do not own or do not have permission to upload, is likely to be a breach of copyright. Check the terms and conditions of the GenAI product.
Reach out to HELPS if you'd like to learn to become a better writer or improve your learning and academic skills.