[Eril-l] Databases / Platforms & AI Options

Thu Apr 3 11:39:10 PDT 2025

Hi Judith and Theresa,

Thanks for bringing this issue up, we're just starting to track what has AI and if we can turn it off (if desired) or not, so this is very helpful.

Not on topic, but I'm frustrated by these AI search assistants that bring up content not within our subscriptions, when we have default settings to limit to our subscription content.

thanks, Emily

Emily Ray

Electronic Resources Librarian

Thomas G. Carpenter Library

University of North Florida

emily.ray at unf.edu<mailto:emily.ray at unf.edu>

904-620-5673

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Sent: Thursday, April 3, 2025 10:42 AM
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Subject: Re: [Eril-l] Databases / Platforms & AI Options

Hi Judith,

We haven't developed evaluation criteria or process yet, would be interested if others have.

If I become aware of AI added to one of our subscribed products, I'm adding it to a list and quickly checking to see if an "opt out" is available.  It is difficult to keep up, so I'm not sure my list is complete.  For now, we've decided to "opt out" (to those that allow that) until we have a chance to evaluate them.  Some vendors provide better documentation than others, if you seek it out on their websites.  For some we've asked our rep whether there is an opt out.

So far I know these do allow an opt out:

  *
Primo Research Assistant (for Primo discovery) - library can disable/enable in configuration

  *
Britannica Academic - have to email support to opt out, otherwise it's on by default

  *
FT.com (Financial Times online) - library can disable/enable in backend

  *
Ebook Central ebooks platform - library can disable/enable in LibCentral (https://support.proquest.com/s/article/Ebook-Central-Research-Assistant-FAQ?language=en_US)

  *
JSTOR - in Beta - will eventually be on by default for all customers, but an opt out will be available (https://about.jstor.org/research-tool/)

  *
EBSCO products - I think they are still in Beta; rep told us last month AI would be opt in (https://www.ebsco.com/artificial-intelligence)

These are essentially "opt out" if you don't want to pay the extra cost:

  *
Scopus - they are selling their "Scopus AI" as a very expensive add-on for Scopus subscribers

  *
Nexis Uni - they are offering a version with AI at an extra cost

Best, Theresa

Theresa Arndt
Assoc. Dean for Collections & Discovery
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA 17013
arndtt at dickinson.edu
she/her/hers

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Sent: Thursday, April 3, 2025 9:31 AM
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Subject: [Eril-l] Databases / Platforms & AI Options

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We have been receiving daily emails and announcements from vendors that some sort of AI functionality (usually searching & recommendations) has been added to databases, platforms, etc.
I've seen the information on licensing and AI on this email list (thank you!). I have another question:

I am wondering if anyone has
1. a process to check the AI functionality to make sure it is more/less accurate (or, as advertised);
2. found any vendors or products that allow us to hide or suppress AI functionality (in the Admin settings). Maybe there are options in some sites to configure this. I haven't investigated my options.

I am asking because I want to provide some help to our research & instruction librarians on these AI functions as well as to address privacy issues of our users:  For example: Does this use vendor data only and what is that, does this use open AI data, and how accurate are the algorithms?

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

Judith

P.S. I realized that AI has been and is a topic in every library conference this year. I am still working through workshops and videos. Apologies for any duplication.

--
Judith Nagata  (she/her)
Electronic Resources & Serials Librarian
Dinand Library
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA 01610
p: 508-793-2639
e: jnagata at holycross.edu<mailto:jnagata at holycross.edu>
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