AI for Studies: The 21 Best Tools to Boost Your Learning Success

Written by Kerstin Lakits, Feb 08, 2024

Artificial Intelligence, abbreviated as AI, is constantly evolving and making significant progress. Meanwhile, there are numerous tools, apps, and websites across various domains that leverage artificial intelligence. For academic pursuits, there are AI tools designed to assist you in crafting academic texts and papers, conducting research projects and facilitating studying. In this article, we will introduce you to the best AI tools for studying, outline the projects for which you can use them and provide tips on how to effectively utilize them.

Table of content:

The all-rounders among AI tools

These AI tools are highly versatile and can assist you with a variety of tasks. They can answer questions, generate summaries, and compose texts. These all-rounders are the perfect support for homework, research, projects, and more. It’s a great way to use AI for studying.

1. ChatGPT

Available as a free version (basic features, registration) and a premium version (approximately €20 per month)

ChatGPT is a chat bot with generative artificial intelligence developed and released by the research company OpenAI. Generative artificial intelligence means that this tool can generate new texts, images, videos, stories, and conversations based on the input data. ChatGPT accesses a vast corpus from the internet to address your tasks.

ChatGPT can answer very complex questions, allowing you to pose detailed and specific queries. This chat bot can also come up with mock tests. Here are examples of questions and tasks you can ask ChatGPT:

  • Compile vocabulary lists and vocabulary tests on the topic of “Climate Change” in Spanish.
  • Translate the following text into French.
  • Provide arguments for and against the introduction of an inheritance tax in Austria.
  • Explain how a black hole is formed for elementary school students.
  • Summarize the book “Gone Girl.”
  • Write/explain or correct a software code.
  • Analyse the poem “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe.
  • Provide an overview of all significant historical events in 20th-century Europe.

Advantages:

  1. The basic version is free.
  2. ChatGPT is highly versatile (applicable to all fields of study, subject areas, and tasks).
  3. Numerous guides are available on how to effectively pose questions to ChatGPT.
  4. As a research project, it is constantly supervised and developed.

2. Elicit

Available as a free version (basic functions) or a premium version (approximately €10 per month)

Elicit is specialized in scientific sources, while ChatGPT possesses extensive general knowledge. With this AI tool, you can search through scientific papers, generate excerpts, and specifically look for concepts in a research domain. Elicit is useful for literature reviews, meta-analyses, and systematic investigations.

Advantages:

  1. The basic function is free.
  2. Elicit searches numerous scientific texts on your topic and provides the corresponding sources.
  3. With a single click, you can conduct research or generate summaries.

AI for academic work

Writing academic papers involves a large number of steps – from literature research, planning and selecting methods to writing and citing. You can shorten the time required for your academic paper with the help of the following tools. It’s amazing to use AI for studies.

3. GoThesis KI

Available as a free version (option to buy additional features)

GoThesis KI supports you with your next thesis. After you have entered your degree programme and your interests, the AI tool generates a customised topic for your academic thesis. Based on your topic, GoThesis KI can create a topic report including an outline, synopsis, research questions and title. Additional functions include creating a guideline and questionnaire for your research and performing an AI plagiarism check.

Advantages:

  1. If you have no ideas, you will get a customised topic for your next thesis.
  2. You will receive a basic outline and planning for your academic work.
  3. You can purchase additional functions as required.

4. Copyscape

Available as a premium version (3 cents per search query)

Copyscape is one of the best plagiarism checking tools that also checks your work for the use of AI. Using Copyscape is straightforward and easy because all you have to do is upload your text to be checked and submit it.

Advantages:

  1. It is easy to use.
  2. You don’t have to take out a subscription, but can pay per search query.
  3. You get a comprehensive plagiarism check and a review of AI content in your work.

5. Mendeley

Available as a free version

Mendeley is a free bibliography management programme that helps you to cite and quote academic work. You can save, collect and organise all your references in this program. Mendeley automatically creates a bibliography from your sources and generates references and references for your citations. There is also a plug-in for the browser that allows you to save academic works directly from the browser to your library. This allows you to concentrate on writing your thesis.

Advantages:

  1. Mendeley is free.
  2. You can save all your sources and references for your academic work in one programme and never lose track.
  3. You automatically receive references and bibliography entries for correct citation.
  4. There is a browser plug-in that allows you to save the works you find in the library while you are researching.

STUWO tip: If you don’t know anything about citing, our article will give you a great overview of the most common citation styles and rules!

AI for writing texts

If you have to write a lot of texts during your studies, these AI tools are an absolute must for you. They will help you write, correct and perfect the texts you have to write for university.

6. DeepL Write

Available as a free version (beta version)

DeepL Write takes the quality of your texts to a new level. As you write, the programme corrects grammar and spelling mistakes. You can define the style of your text (simple, casual, business, technical or academic). Then DeepL Write makes suggestions on how you can improve your texts. This programme is currently available for German and English. There is also a browser extension that allows you to check emails and texts in Google Docs as you write.

Advantages:

  1. DeepL Write is free of charge.
  2. You can write your texts in English or German.
  3. Your texts are not only checked for errors, but the style is also standardised and improved.
  4. There is a plug-in for the browser with which you can have emails and other texts corrected.

7. EasyEssay

Available as a free version (basic functions) or a premium version (roughly €17)

EasyEssay is an AI tool for writing and improving texts. You can either have an essay written on a topic or have an existing essay extended or improved. There is also an integrated plagiarism check. This tool is currently only available for English texts.

Advantages:

  1. There is a free version.
  2. If you have specified a topic, you can have an essay written for you.
  3. If you have already written a text, you can optimise it with this tool and have it checked for plagiarism.

8. Genei.io

Available as a basic version for around €4 per month or a premium version for around €16 per month (There is a 14-day trial period before you start a subscription).

The longest step in scientific work is researching and summarising existing literature. Genei.io speeds up this step. With the help of artificial intelligence, this tool can summarise texts and extract keywords. Complex ideas and content are paraphrased and summarised. Thanks to the browser add-on, you can also summarise and save web pages.

Advantages:

  1. There is a free trial period.
  2. Summaries, excerpts and paraphrases of scientific works are well prepared.
  3. There is an add-on for your browser that easily integrates the use of this tool into your online research.

9. QuillBot

Available as a free version (basic) or premium version (€8 monthly)

QuillBot is a tool for summarising and paraphrasing texts and documents. This AI tool can also optimise your text by searching for synonyms, improving the style and checking your text for errors. This tool is available for English, German, Spanish and French. You can add QuillBot to your text editing programmes (Word, Google Docs) or apps (Email, LinkedIn).

Advantages:

  1. The basic version is free.
  2. QuillBot can summarise, paraphrase and optimise texts for you.
  3. You can add QuillBot as an add-in to your apps and programmes.
  4. This tool works with different languages.

10. Writefull

Available as a free version (basic) and premium version (€15 per month)

Writefull optimises your academic texts by correcting grammatical and spelling errors, resolving word repetitions, searching for synonyms and making your formulations more varied. This not only improves the accuracy of your text, but also the style. After downloading the tool, you can integrate it into Word and optimise your text as you write. Additional functions include summarising texts and creating references for quotations.

Advantages:

  1. There is a free version.
  2. You can easily integrate the tool into your Word programme.
  3. The AI analyses your text for errors and improves style and expression.

AI for images

If you need a suitable stock photo or image for your next essay, academic paper or presentation, these AI tools can generate the perfect image for you – adding the finishing touch to your university work. Use AI for your studies!

11. Playground AI

Available as a free version (basic functions) and premium version (starting at €12 per month)

With Playground AI you can easily create stock photos without any great artistic talent. After you have given the AI a task for a photo, the programme generates an image. You can then change this according to your wishes or specifications by selecting elements in the image and letting the AI adjust them.

Advantages:

  1. The basic version of Playground AI is free.
  2. You can have the photos generated exactly according to your wishes.
  3. You can edit and optimise the generated photos.

12. DALL-E 3

Available as a Plus Upgrade to ChatGPT (approx. €20 per month)

The inventors of ChatGPT have also used their generative AI to convert text into images. DALL-E 3 is included in the Plus version of ChatGPT. You can give the chatbot a description of your desired image and it will generate it.

Advantages:

  1. The images are created according to your wishes and specifications.
  2. You can write to the chat bot to get the perfect result.

AI for speech synthesis

Did you know that there are also AI tools that can convert text-to-speech (TTS)? These AI tools are ideal for converting your learning materials into audio files.

13. Speechify

Available as a free version

Speechify can turn any text into an audio file. This AI tool reads documents, lecture notes, scripts, books, scientific articles and more to you. This is particularly beneficial for auditory learners and helps you learn faster and more efficiently by allowing you to listen to the lecture material while cleaning up, walking, etc. Speechify is available as a web application and as an app for iOS and Android.

Advantages:

  1. Speechify is free of charge.
  2. You can have all kinds of documents read aloud to you
  3. You can listen to the audio files anywhere and at any time to use your time efficiently.

AI for presentations

If you have a presentation coming up soon, the following AI tools can help you. The presentation documents will then shine in a special glamour.

14. DesignBeast

Available as a paid version (one-time payment of €69)

With DesignBeast you can quickly and easily become a graphic designer. This AI design tool helps you create design templates, logos, icons and graphics at lightning speed, which you can then use for PowerPoint presentations or articles, for example. The AI does most of the work, so you don’t need any graphic design expertise.

Advantages:

  1. You don’t have to pay monthly, but pay once for permanent and unlimited use.
  2. You don’t need a background in graphic design or similar.
  3. This AI design tool provides countless creative designs and ideas.

15. Pitch

Available as a free basic version and premium version (€20 per month)

For your next presentation, you can have Pitch create a presentation for you quickly and easily. You give the AI tool a prompt (e.g. presentation on the 1960s in the USA) and Pitch creates a presentation based on it. There are also templates you can choose from. You can easily change and optimise the slides generated by Pitch.

Advantages:

  1. The basic version is free of charge
  2. The AI design tool creates a presentation with just one task.
  3. There are countless templates that you can use.

AI for recording and transcribing meetings

The next time you sit in the lecture theatre and listen to the speaker, you can relax and listen while these AI tools record and transcribe your lecture. You can concentrate on listening and have a great transcript afterwards.

Please note: Lectures may be protected by copyright as well as personal rights. It is therefore advisable to obtain the “ok” of the lecturer for the recording, but especially for the publication of recorded lectures.

16. Beulr

Available as a subscription (€9 per month)

Online lectures and meetings can be exhausting. In such cases, Beulr is the best AI tool for your studies. Beulr records your Zoom Session, Google Meets and Microsoft Meetings, transcribes them and creates a summary. The audio and video recordings are saved in a library so that you can always access them.

Advantages:

  1. Beulr is compatible with the most popular video conferencing tools.
  2. Beulr can record, transcribe and summarise meetings or lectures, saving you time.

17. Otter.ai

Available as a free basic version and pro version (€10 per month)

The AI tool Otter.ai can record your lecture, save the speakers’ slides and even create a summary of the content. You can also use the programme for video conferences (Zoom, MS Teams, Google Meet). There is also a Chrome extension. There is also an AI chat where you can get answers to your questions or problems.

Advantages:

  1. There is a free version.
  2. You can use this AI tool for different programmes.
  3. Your lecture is recorded and you get a quick summary of the most important content.

AI for organizing and planning

Planning is key. These AI tools can help you organize and plan your student life. This will make your daily life much better.

18. Scribe

Available as a free basic version or paid premium version (starting at €23 per month)

Are you facing a big project without a plan and don’t know what steps to take? Then Scribe is the perfect AI tool for your studies. It provides you with step-by-step instructions. You can easily customise the project plans and adapt them to your needs.

Advantages:

  1. The basic version is free.
  2. You save time because the AI tool takes over your planning and creates ready-made instructions and plans.
  3. This AI tool increases your productivity because you have a clear plan in front of you.

AI for flashcards

Flashcards are a great study method that you can use even more efficiently thanks to AI tools for studying. AI takes care of creating and retrieving flashcards for you so that you can concentrate on memorising.

19. Wisdolia

Available as a free basic version and premium version (from €5 per month)

The AI tool Wisdolia creates flashcards for you from learning materials, presentation slides, scientific articles, websites, YouTube videos and textbooks. You can either upload a PDF or link a website to be used to generate flashcards.

Advantages:

  1. The basic version is free.
  2. The flashcards are created automatically, saving you time.
  3. You can use all kinds of learning materials.

AI for learning a language

Whether you’re learning a language for fun, study or your professional career, these AI tools can help you learn your chosen foreign language faster and more efficiently.

20. Duolingo Super

Available as a premium subscription (from €6.50 per month)

While Duolingo is free in the basic version, there is an additional AI boost after upgrading to Duolingo Super. In cooperation with OpenAI, Duolingo has integrated artificial intelligence to improve your learning content. This AI tool makes your personalised learning plan even more efficient, specifically addresses your weak points and mistakes and repeats them with you.

Advantages:

  1. The AI specifically addresses your mistakes and practises them with you until you have understood them.
  2. Your learning plan is customised.
  3. With Duolingo Super you also have no adverts.

21. Langotalk

Available as a paid subscription (free trial, then approx. €20 per month)

With Langotalk, you can communicate 24/7 with an AI chat bot and continuously improve your language and communication skills in more than 19 languages. This AI tool acts as your native-language mentor and conversation partner. This AI for studying can also put together learning courses and plans.

Advantages:

  1. You can practise at any time by chatting with the AI.
  2. The AI tool creates a learning plan.
  3. There are more than 19 languages to choose from.
If used correctly, AI can be a real game changer in your studies! ©Adobe Stock

AI for studying: Which AI tool is best suited for your project?

Which AI tool works best for you depends entirely on the task you are facing. If you are preparing for an exam, tools that can summarise your learning material, explain concepts and write mock tests are ideal. If you are writing an academic paper, we recommend programmes for optimising texts and creating bibliographies. If you want to learn a specific language, there are special programmes for this. It’s a great way to take advantage of AI for studies.

So first think about what your task is and for which work step you can use an AI tool, then you can choose the right tool using AI for studying from our list.

Tips & Tricks: How to use AI effectively for your studies

After showing you the best AI tools for studying, we would like to provide you with some tips on how to effectively use these tools.

  1. Purposeful use of AI in studies: You can use AI tools for studying most effectively when you are clear about what you want to achieve and how you want to use them. Here is an article on how to set SMART goals!
  2. Combine traditional methods and AI: Artificial intelligence can make your work in studies easier, but it cannot completely replace it. AI is very helpful for certain tasks, such as summarizing, researching, or proofreading. However, there are other tasks that you should definitely handle yourself.
  3. Respect your university’s rules: Each university and many instructors have guidelines or rules for using AI in education. It is best to inquire about this at the beginning of the semester to determine whether and for what tasks you are allowed to use AI.
  4. Data protection and plagiarism: AI tools use the data you provide. Therefore, check the terms and conditions to understand how this data is processed. If sensitive data is involved that should not be shared with others, pay special attention to data protection. Be cautious about plagiarism when dealing with generated texts!
  5. Use AI tools for learning: You get the most benefit from AI tools when you use them not only to take over tasks but also to acquire knowledge faster and more effectively. After spending less time on research, you can dedicate more time to actual learning.
  6. Be critical of the results: AI is making great strides. However, you should not blindly trust AI tools. Verify generated or translated texts before using them. Also, check the sources and facts before using the information.

Outlook: How Artificial Intelligence will impact your studies in the future

Artificial intelligence does not stop at the university gates. On the contrary, these new developments bring a range of opportunities for students, teachers and researchers. AI tools easily take over routine tasks that are often time-consuming and form the basis for further work. When AI takes over summarising literature, extracting key elements, correcting and formatting texts, you have more time for exciting research. Data analysis, citation, language processing and other processes in research are significantly accelerated by AI. Artificial intelligence is not intended to replace people in the university sector, but to enable people to work more efficiently and purposefully on scientific papers and research projects.

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