Writing & Reporting
Apart from the preceding processes of research, Generative AI tools also offer support from drafting and editing to peer review and public engagement.
AI can:
- Assist in drafting and refining reports, summarising findings, and generating citations.
- Serve as a pre-submission reviewer and give you suggestions for edits before you submit your work to publishers.
- Help you effectively communicate your research by creating simple visuals and podcasts.
Writing & reporting
GenAI tools, powered by large language models, offer valuable assistance throughout the writing process. These tools can enhance your research reporting by: (1) proposing structured outlines to organise your findings logically, (2) refining your writing for clarity and coherence while preserving your scholarly voice, and (3) formatting citations according to required academic standards.
When confronted with writer's block — a common challenge in academic writing — these AI assistants can provide useful prompts and alternative perspectives that stimulate your thinking and help you get started in your write-up journey.
Common tools include ChatGPT (OpenAI), Gemini (Google), Claude (Anthropic), Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity AI, and Grammarly. Watch this video for a walkthrough of an academic writing process.
Caution
GenAI may overuse certain words or constructions and might not always align with the nuances of academic writing. Always review and refine the suggestions to maintain your own voice and adhere to academic conventions.
Always verify the accuracy of AI-generated citations, as these tools can sometimes produce inaccurate or fabricated information ("hallucinations").
Publication
There already exist a few AI tools to help boost your chance at publication by going through a pre-submission "peer" review. A recent Nature article titled AI is transforming peer review — and many scientists are worried discussed several such AI tools.
Explore Science
Generates comprehensive multi-page reviews that examine methodological designs and statistical rigour when authors upload their work.
Nature Research Assistant
Its manuscript advisor reviews drafts, offering tailored advice, suggestions and technical feedback before submission. It also suggests related papers for your reference list.
While debate continues about AI's appropriate role in formal peer review, these pre-submission tools represent a potentially less controversial application that could benefit both authors and reviewers.
Presentation & outreach
Explore innovative AI tools like NotebookLM, Gamma AI, and Napkin AI to transform your research dissemination. These platforms enable you to convert complex findings into engaging podcasts, visually compelling presentations, and intuitive graphics, enhancing accessibility and impact across diverse audiences.
NotebookLM Free
Its podcast creation function offers a novel way to disseminate your research. Simply upload your protocols or written reports, and a 15-minute podcast between two AI characters will be generated. You can even jump in during the "broadcast" to ask the AI questions.
Listen to Artificial Thought podcastGamma AI Free & paid
Particularly useful for generating slides. Excels at transforming text-based inputs — prompts, outlines, or existing documents — into polished, visually engaging presentations. Great for conferences, lectures, or public engagement.
Watch a video tutorialNapkin AI Free
A visualisation platform that transforms your writing into graphs. If you're preparing visuals for a slide deck, Napkin AI can suggest effective and engaging ways to organise your ideas graphically — helping you move away from text-heavy slides. It also assists in designing research posters that communicate your message more effectively.
You do not always need a dedicated tool: Claude and ChatGPT can generate a slide deck straight from your draft or an uploaded paper, usually as a file you can download and edit. Expect a plainer result than the tools above, but a faster route than starting from a blank page.