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
When researching for an assignment or trying to better understand a topic, GenAI tools can help you identify which readings, authors or key concepts to focus on.
Keep in mind that GenAI tools tend to reflect existing social biases, so if you ask for key readings or key authors you may get a list that skews towards social groups who have traditionally had more power and privilege. It's always a good idea to ask your teachers for suggestions to help balance this out.
Example Prompt: Who are some key researchers in risk management in engineering?
Part of Copilot Response (02/01/2025): |
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Here are a few notable researchers in the field of risk management in engineering:
References [1] Risk Management Practices in Large-Scale Engineering Projects: Trends ... [2] A review of research related to risk management of EPC engineering ... [3] Lessons Learned with Risk Management: a Systems Engineer’s perspective [NOTE THAT AI-GENERATED CONTENT MAY BE INCORRECT] |
2. Explaining difficult concepts from the text
If you’re struggling to understand a concept, GenAI tools can provide concise summaries using language that is easy to understand. As always, you shouldn’t assume the summary is 100% accurate or contains all necessary information, but it can be a useful way to help you understand key concepts, thereby helping you better understand the overall reading.
Example Prompt: Provide a one paragraph summary of Einstein's theory of relativity using language that is easy to understand.
Part of Copilot's Response (02/01/2025): |
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Einstein's theory of relativity is actually two theories: special relativity and general relativity. Special relativity, introduced in 1905, explains that the laws of physics are the same for all non-accelerating observers and that the speed of light is constant, regardless of the observer's motion. This leads to mind-bending concepts like time dilation, where time moves slower for objects moving close to the speed of light. General relativity, introduced in 1915, expands on this by explaining gravity not as a force but as a curvature of space and time caused by massive objects. Imagine space-time as a stretchy fabric; heavy objects like planets create dents, and this curvature guides the motion of other objects, which we perceive as gravity. [NOTE THAT AI-GENERATED CONTENT MAY BE INCORRECT] |
3. Generating examples of critical questions you can ask about the text
An important part of academic reading is reading critically. This means asking questions such as:
- What evidence is this argument based on?
- How does this relate to other concepts I’ve been learning about?
- What is my perspective on this issue and why?
- What else do I need to find out about this topic to ensure a better understanding or a more balanced perspective?
Once you’ve thought of your own critical questions, put your own short summary of the text into your chosen GenAI tool and ask it to generate some critical questions about the text. Then compare them to your list to see if it has generated any other useful questions.
Example Prompt: What are some critical questions I can ask about the following text … (Then paste a one paragraph summary that you have written about the concepts or argument given in the reading).
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.