New: exploratory search with AI in ETH library @ swisscovery
Are you conducting a thematic literature search and would like to delve deeper into the holdings of the ETH Library? Then you should try out the new AI-supported EXPLORE feature.
The EXPLORE function is no longer displayed in this form on external page ETH Library @ swisscovery. Interested parties can continue to use the function “semantic search for subject keywords” on the experimental external page ETH-Lab interface.
The EXPLORE feature offers an additional option for thematic and exploratory searches in external page ETH Library @ swisscovery. It combines AI technologies and a vector database to apply content indexing, a classic service of the ETH Library, in an innovative new way.
How does it work?
Activate the button to start the EXPLORE feature and enter your search terms in the search field.
The AI-assisted semantic search identifies and prioritises suitable keywords for your search query. These are presented in a list:
By clicking on a relevant keyword you can start a search in ETH Library @ swisscovery. Our tip: right-click on the keyword links to open a new tab. This will keep your suggestion list visible.
Try it out and discover the diverse holdings of the ETH Library with the new EXPLORE feature in external page ETH Library @ swisscovery!
What is the story behind it?
A vector database is used to identify linguistically related terms from the ETH Library’s keyword catalogue (ETH-UDK Universal Decimal Classification) and the best matching keywords are offered as suggestions.
Why the ETH-UDK keyword catalogue?
The ETH Library uses this keyword catalogue to describe the content of printed books and thus to make them findable by subject. This classic work of the ETH Library is visible in the detailed display:
With the EXPLORE feature, the ETH-UDK subject catalogue can be used for searching in a new way thanks to AI technology.