The Role of Generative AI-Assisted Literature Reviews in Transforming Academic Research

Abstract

The chapter explores the transformative impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on the traditional process of conducting literature reviews in academic research. Initially, it traces the historical evolution of literature reviews, highlighting their significance in shaping research across various fields. Generative AI technologies have revolutionized literature reviews by automating and enhancing information-gathering and synthesis. This democratizes the literature review process, making it more inclusive and accessible to researchers with limited resources. However, this advancement also brings challenges and ethical considerations regarding academic integrity and the reliability of AI-generated content. The chapter also discusses different types of literature reviews, their methodologies, strengths, and limitations, providing a comprehensive understanding of how generative AI can be integrated into these review types.