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I think it's really unfortunate that this type of thing gets called "research". I get that it fits with what has unfortunately become modern day usage - "Karen

I think it's really unfortunate that this type of thing gets called "research". I get that it fits with what has unfortunately become modern day usage - "Karen did her own research before becoming a flat-earther" - but I really wish the AI companies would've had better faith in their future solutions than to call this research. There's gotta be quite a few actual researchers at these companies who are shaking their heads. To spare others the lookup, here's from the Oxford dictionary. Emphasis on the word "new": To study a subject in detail, especially in order to discover new information or reach a new understanding. Example: They are carrying out/conducting/doing some fascinating research into/on the language of dolphins.

gnuly 1y ago
this case should simply be called search, no? to me research takes a long time, and not just an hour or so.
- kleiba 1y ago
  You overlook the fact that the system integrates various sources into a coherent report. This in my opinion makes it more than just mere search.
- pcthrowaway 1y ago
  Well the models often do an initial search and then a follow-up search. So it's a re-search
  - nickwatson 1y ago
    It does it several times, so maybe re-re-re-search works?
yard2010 1y ago
New is a matter of perspective.
nickwatson 1y ago
I understand what you're saying. I believe any kind of research will nearly always begin with learning and understanding of the knowledge that is already out there. Almost every subject has been learned this way, whether at school from a teacher or text-book, or reading papers. The Oxford dictionary definition says the same, "to study a subject in detail". This is what AI is doing - I see it as a "power suit" for distilling information much faster, without the cognitive bias that many of us will carry. Learning is an important part of research, and this must come with discernment over credibility of existing research, including identifying where the gaps are. This kind of critical thinking allows for another level, experiments, surveys, etc to uncover things even further. If you were to study the language of dolphins today, where would you start? Would you jump into the ocean and start trying to talk with them, or would you look up what is already discovered? Would you study their behaviors, patterns, etc? What drove me to do this project is exactly the example you mentioned, the flat-earther type who look up an article on some kind of free hosting website or Sandra from accounts social media page and taken as the be-all-and-end-all of knowledge. It comes without bias recognition or critical thinking skills. This is where I'm hopeful to level the playing field, and ensure unbiased, balanced information is uncovered.
- vidarh 1y ago
  A more precise term for what it is doing would be a "literature review". But I think you're right to describe it as research in the headline, because a lot of people will relate more to that term. But perhaps describe it as conducting a literature review further down.
  - nickwatson 1y ago
    I agree. In all honesty I was just following on the trend that has been popularized by OpenAI/Google so it is more relatable but will mention the "literature review" as you suggest, it's a good idea. I didn't give the wording too much thought in all honesty - was just excited to share. Where would you suggest to put the literature review text? Readme.md? What about something like "synthesized findings from sources across the internet" or something like that. When I see the word literature, I immediately think of books.
deleted 1y ago
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gnuly 1y ago

this case should simply be called search, no? to me research takes a long time, and not just an hour or so.

kleiba 1y ago
You overlook the fact that the system integrates various sources into a coherent report. This in my opinion makes it more than just mere search.
pcthrowaway 1y ago
Well the models often do an initial search and then a follow-up search. So it's a re-search
- nickwatson 1y ago
  It does it several times, so maybe re-re-re-search works?

yard2010 1y ago

New is a matter of perspective.

nickwatson 1y ago

I understand what you're saying. I believe any kind of research will nearly always begin with learning and understanding of the knowledge that is already out there. Almost every subject has been learned this way, whether at school from a teacher or text-book, or reading papers. The Oxford dictionary definition says the same, "to study a subject in detail". This is what AI is doing - I see it as a "power suit" for distilling information much faster, without the cognitive bias that many of us will carry. Learning is an important part of research, and this must come with discernment over credibility of existing research, including identifying where the gaps are. This kind of critical thinking allows for another level, experiments, surveys, etc to uncover things even further. If you were to study the language of dolphins today, where would you start? Would you jump into the ocean and start trying to talk with them, or would you look up what is already discovered? Would you study their behaviors, patterns, etc? What drove me to do this project is exactly the example you mentioned, the flat-earther type who look up an article on some kind of free hosting website or Sandra from accounts social media page and taken as the be-all-and-end-all of knowledge. It comes without bias recognition or critical thinking skills. This is where I'm hopeful to level the playing field, and ensure unbiased, balanced information is uncovered.

vidarh 1y ago
A more precise term for what it is doing would be a "literature review". But I think you're right to describe it as research in the headline, because a lot of people will relate more to that term. But perhaps describe it as conducting a literature review further down.
- nickwatson 1y ago
  I agree. In all honesty I was just following on the trend that has been popularized by OpenAI/Google so it is more relatable but will mention the "literature review" as you suggest, it's a good idea. I didn't give the wording too much thought in all honesty - was just excited to share. Where would you suggest to put the literature review text? Readme.md? What about something like "synthesized findings from sources across the internet" or something like that. When I see the word literature, I immediately think of books.

deleted 1y ago

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