AI Tools for Research
AI tools can support many stages of the research process in business and economics. Use the menu to explore how different tools can help at each step:
- Define the Problem
- AI tools can help develop research questions, refine topics, and identify areas of focus.
- Review the Literature
- AI tools can help discover sources, summarize articles, and identify key findings in the scholarship.
- Formulate a Hypothesis
- AI tools can suggest possible relationships, highlight gaps, and frame testable ideas.
- Design the Research
- AI tools can help support research design, from understanding and selecting methods to organizing approaches.
- Collect and Analyze Data
- AI tools can assist with data collection, cleaning, analysis, and visualization.
- Interpret and Report Results
- AI can generate visuals and support the preparation of reports or presentations.
List of AI Tools
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Ithaka S+R's Generative AI Product TrackerThe Generative AI Product Tracker lists generative AI products that are either marketed specifically towards postsecondary faculty or students or appear to be actively in use by postsecondary faculty or students for teaching, learning, or research activities.
Access to AI Tools
Some AI tools featured in this guide are free to use. Others offer limited free versions or require a paid subscription. This guide is meant to help users explore what’s available and understand which tools might best support their research or business project goals.
For a list of tools freely available to UD-affiliated students, faculty, and staff, visit UD IT's University Generative AI Services List.
AI in UD Library Business Databases
Some of the library’s business databases now include AI features to make searching, finding, and understanding information easier. New tools are being added frequently. Sometimes AI features are included in our database subscription, but other times they are not.
Below are library business databases with AI features you can access and use right now:
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Statista This link opens in a new windowHas an AI Chat tool that uses semantic search to find the most relevant Statista data for a query. It pulls from up to 10 top sources and creates a detailed response with citations.
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PitchBook This link opens in a new windowHas built-in AI and machine learning features that provide quick company profile summaries, highlights from earnings and conference call transcripts, and predictive insights like the VC Exit Predictor, which estimates the likelihood of startups being acquired or going public.
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IBISWorld Industry Reports This link opens in a new windowPhil AI is now active in IBISWorld. To access Phil, go into any industry report and click on the sparkles on the right-hand side by the downloads and search within report buttons. Phil is in beta testing for the fall 2025 semester.