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Insights for libraries on implementing AI-enhanced research tools

16 May 2025

By Susan Jenkins

In a recent Elsevier webinar, Warsaw University of Life Sciences researchers shared how they use LLMs and Scopus AI in their work.

When generative AI models like ChatGPT became widely accessible, Dr. Wojciech Woźniak, Head of Library at Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) sensed an opportunity. “At that time, discussions about AI were already taking place within the community here. There was an increasing need to establish frameworks for responsible AI use in research and education, and the library could take a leading role in this process.”

Shortly thereafter, an invitation to test an early version of Scopus AI offered a chance to act. Dr. Woźniak requested beta access to evaluate the potential of AI support built into the already well-known Scopus platform to benefit the university’s researchers. “We recognized that the library could set an example by proactively exploring AI’s capabilities, evaluating its impact, and offering guidance to researchers.” After an encouraging testing period, the library rolled out a university-wide trial in May of 2024.

Because the library’s core mission is to support researchers, they strive to offer the most advanced tools. Still, they couldn’t predict who would use the new capabilities, or how. “Rather than assuming, we decided to let the process of testing and evaluation itself reveal the most engaged researchers,” Dr. Woźniak explains. “We discovered a core group of early adopters—researchers who were both curious about AI and eager to explore its practical applications in their work.”

To maximize trial participation, they directly emailed researchers and promoted it through social media, the university newsletter, and the library’s website to encourage as many researchers as possible to join the testing phase.

The library decided to include a user survey to understand how the researchers were using Scopus AI. Dr. Woźniak noted, “when testing new tools and services, we typically rely on usage statistics as the primary means of evaluation. However, in the case of Scopus AI, we recognized that this was a completely new type of tool—one that researchers might not immediately see the potential of.” Among the use cases they documented – improving the literature review process and teaching fundamentals of research, researchers also reported that it made their work more pleasurable.

The response was positive enough that Dr. Woźniak easily gathered stakeholder support for a successful proposal to acquire Scopus AI for the university. “Ultimately, the trial process was instrumental in identifying and bringing the right stakeholders on board. It not only ensured that we engaged those most interested in AI-driven innovations but also helped create a foundation for broader discussions about the role of AI in academic research.” The service has been active for all students and faculty [SJ1] [MP2] since July 2024.

In a recent webinar opens in new tab/window for Elsevier, Dr. Woźniak and two researchers from SGGW shared their strategies and use cases using AI research tools and Scopus AI in particular. Below are some of their key insights.

Accelerating a literature review process

Jarosław Olszewski is a PhD candidate studying biotechnology innovation in SGGW’s Center for Translational Medicine. He leverages Scopus AI to initiate literature reviews. “One of the biggest challenges in exploring a new research topic is developing a coherent overview of the available knowledge.”

Before Scopus AI, collecting appropriate literature for a review was often frustrating and demotivating. Despite a careful process, “often a given article did not contain the information I was looking for, despite title and keywords suggesting otherwise. Additionally, after reviewing a batch of materials, I frequently had to return to search with different parameters, which gave me the feeling of starting the process all over again.”

By leveraging Scopus AI’s context-based search instead of using keywords, Jarosław can do a preliminary analysis much more quickly. “The article selections generated by Scopus AI contain significantly fewer irrelevant publications—based on different research models, methodologies, or thematic areas—compared to the results obtained through keyword-based queries.”

Jarosław also appreciates that “it says when it doesn’t have information on very specific topics – unlike ChatGPT which makes things up, Scopus AI knows what it doesn’t know and says so.” He also emphasizes that this is only the first phase of his workflow – “Scopus AI is most effective in constructing the initial framework of a literature review, which can be systematically expanded through targeted database searches for highly specific topics.”

Teaching interdisciplinary information literacy skills

Professor Daria Sikorska’s interdisciplinary teaching and research bridge environmental science, urban studies, and education. In her courses she integrates generative AI tools to support students in navigating complex scientific knowledge and improving their academic writing skills.

“I’ve been one of the people at the university absolutely in love with AI since the first LLMs appeared,” she says. “I started to adopt them in my teaching, grant proposals, and writing process.”

Professor Sikorska emphasizes a critical and informed approach. “I advise my students to be aware of the constraints when using general-purpose LLMs, because the data is unreliable,” she explains.

She has students use tools like ChatGPT to learn their benefits and limitations before grounding their understanding in peer-reviewed literature and reliable data sources. “The ability to search efficiently for verified data is part of the courses I’m teaching, and very much needed.” “An advantage of using Scopus AI is searching with natural language,” she adds, because “you can be less skilled in writing prompts than you have to be with ChatGPT, which requires a lot of trial and error.”

She stresses that while LLMs should not replace students’ own thinking or writing, they can play a valuable role in the early stages of the writing process: “I encourage students to use AI to explore ideas and develop a structure for their arguments, not to write the text for them. It’s about supporting their own voice, not replacing it.”

Research becomes more pleasurable

In the Library’s survey, one researcher wrote “I was surprised to find that it might positively influence satisfaction and enjoyment in work.”

Jarosław suggests that “the biggest challenge for young researchers is we like to do everything too fast.” Counterintuitively, he finds using Scopus AI makes it easier to take time to explore new topics. “Searching for materials becomes more like a conversation rather than a rigid filtering process. Its functionality encourages asking deeper questions and probing further. It motivates me to examine a topic from multiple perspectives and adopt a more holistic approach to my work.”

“The creative inspiration is the deeper question,” says Jarosław. Although tools like Scopus AI minimize the time required for data collection, “creativity in formulating the right questions and the ability to critically assess the results” are still core skills researchers need to develop.

A continuing role for the library

Dr. Woźniak notes that the library supports AI use by researchers through Elsevier tutorials and offering a tailored workshop during their ScienceWeek events. “We asked a researcher using AI to share his firsthand experience so participants could see practical applications in a real research workflow.”

As for the library’s role in AI governance, he affirms that “it will become even more critical to guide researchers through the increasingly complex landscape of available technologies and take on the role of curator.” They’ll continue building expertise in researcher’s workflows but also facilitate “a space for critical reflection and knowledge-sharing on the role of AI in research.”

About Warsaw University of Life Sciences:

The Warsaw University of Life Sciences is the oldest agricultural and natural science university in Poland, its origins dating back to 1816. The university offers 40 fields of study (including 9 taught in English): from natural science and technology to veterinary medicine, social and economic studies. There are nearly 16,000 students in full-time, part-time, doctoral, and post-graduate study courses as well as in international student exchange. The university hosts 16 modern research centers and conducts world-class research in 14 disciplines and is part of the Green European University Alliance.

Meet the interviewees:

Dr. Wojciech Woźniak, PhD Head of Library, Warsaw University of Life Science

Wojciech Woźniak is a political scientist, archivist, civil servant. He graduated from the Institute of Social Sciences at Opole University in 1999 and the Institute of Administration in 2000. In 2004, he earned a PhD from the Institute of History at Opole University. From December 1999 to March 2009, he worked as an archivist at the State Archive in Opole, where he served as the head of the department responsible for records created after 1945. In April 2009, he became the deputy director of the National Digital Archives (NDA). Since October 2012, he has held the position of director of the NDA.

In addition to his archival work, he has been a lecturer at the University of Warsaw since October 2009, teaching electronic records management.

Between 2016 and 2018, he served as the Director General of State Archives. From 2019 to 2021, he worked at the General Counsel to the Republic of Poland. Since February 2021, he has been the director of the Main Library at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences.

Dr. Daria Sikorska, PhD

Associate Professor, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) is a researcher, academic teacher and science communicator at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. A passionate advocate for interdisciplinary science, she seamlessly integrates ecological sciences, engineering and socio-economic studies in her work. Beyond her research, she actively engages in teaching, grant proposal development, and scientific writing.

An enthusiast of novelties, Prof. Sikorska has recently turned her attention to the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. She leverages AI to tackle the overwhelming flood of academic data, enabling efficient research, impactful publications, and innovative teaching methods. For her students, AI is both a tool for engagement and a way to foster critical thinking. For herself, it is a means to stay ahead in an ever-changing academic landscape.

Jarosław Olszewski, MSc

Research Fellow and PhD candidate, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW). [SJ1] [MP2] Olszewski graduated from the Interfaculty Biotechnology Studies at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW). He currently serves as a research and teaching assistant at the Center for Translational Medicine at SGGW. His work focuses on research at the intersection of veterinary and human medicine, specializing in large animal models and advanced microscopy techniques, particularly digital image processing.

Throughout his scientific career, Olszewski has participated in numerous R&D projects. Notable examples include developing medical devices, such as the preclinical testing of the "Ventil" system during the pandemic, enabling shared ventilation for two patients. These efforts led to the creation of "CoVentil," the first Polish-designed ventilator, developed in collaboration with Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology.

In addition to his research, Olszewski served two terms as Chair of the National Representation of Doctoral Candidates. During his tenure, he launched mentoring and training programs for young researchers, including "Local Ambassador for Doctoral Rights" and "Young Scientist Leadership School."

Currently, he is the President of the Work & Science Foundation, dedicated to supporting young academic talents and organizing events that promote innovation in science and the economy. He is also the creator and chief organizer of three editions of the National Job Fair for the Innovative Economy Sector, Work & Science Forum.

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