Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the landscape of research and information discovery, and libraries are at the forefront of exploring its potential to support academic work. To help faculty engage with these emerging tools, VIVA (the Virtual Library of Virginia) has arranged a trial of two AI-powered research tools: Consensus and Scite.
The trial period for each runs November 12 through February 12, and we encourage you to explore these tools and share your feedback. [Feedback link coming soon.]
Consensus – AI that synthesizes academic research: https://consensus.app/
- Uses AI to extract answers directly from peer-reviewed research.
- Allows users to ask natural-language questions and receive evidence-based summaries.
- Highlights consensus and disagreement across studies to support critical thinking.
To access the Consensus trial:
- Go to this link: https://consensus.app/ and create an account using your Longwood email.
- A code will be sent to your email address. Once you confirm, you will have an account connected to the trial.
- To confirm that this worked, look at your account name in the bottom left corner of the Consensus Web Application. You should see a special icon next to your name indicating full access to the paid product.
Scite AI – Smart citation analysis: https://scite.ai/
- Shows how research articles have been cited—supporting, mentioning, or contrasting.
- Offers Smart Citations that provide context around each citation.
- Helps researchers evaluate the reliability and impact of scientific claims.
To access the Scite trial:
- On-campus: Authentication via IP address, no signup necessary.
- Off-campus:
- Visit https://scite.ai
- Click Sign Up (top right)
- Register using your Longwood email address
- Please bypass all Google/ORCID and credit card prompts.
- The system will recognize your email as part of the VIVA trial, and you’ll be automatically added to the trial license.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Brent Roberts directly at robertsbs2@longwood.edu.