Scientific working and writing with AI-based tools
As a student, lecturer or academic staff member at ETH Zurich, we provide you with information on the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and other AI-based tools – whether for scientific writing, searching for literature, reading literature or teaching. The aim of the ETH Library is to enable you to use generative AI and other AI-based tools effectively and ethically.
AI Challenge from 14 January to 31 March 2025
Take part in our competition! Do you study at ETH Zurich or are you a member of its teaching staff? If so, submit your best practices in the use of generative AI tools.
There are prizes to be won, of course! You can find more information on the AI Challenge website. We look forward to your participation!
Our services range from a self-study course to the AI Academy series of events and various course formats.
Information on the legally and ethically correct use of generative AI and AI-based tools
The use of generative AI and AI-based tools raises questions for many students and other members of ETH Zurich: Which tools are allowed to be used? For what purposes can they be used? How should their use be declared? What does their use mean from a legal and ethical perspective? Does authorship change or does everything stay the same? Are there official university guidelines?
Various websites provide you with comprehensive information on these and related topics:
- On the website AI in Teaching and Learning of the Rectorate you will find the official guidelines of ETH Zurich as well as an overview of the topic of generative AI at ETH Zurich.
- The ETH Library's Plagiarism and generative artificial intelligence website provides information on legal aspects and gives recommendations on ethically correct behaviour.
- Avoiding plagiarism is part of good scientific practice. The website Prevention of plagiarism explains topics such as citation, citation styles, sources and different types of plagiarism in detail.
- The ETH Zurich citation guidelines provide an overview of the most important rules for dealing with sources – also in connection with generative AI technologies.
In a series of programmes, we provide knowledge and tools or meet with you to exchange ideas and network:
The ETH Library's self-study course is the central place to learn in-depth about generative AI and AI-based tools. We focus on the topics of literature search, reading, writing and learning. You will find out which generative AI tools are accessible to members of ETH Zurich and which tools have which strengths and weaknesses. In addition, we will sensitise you to scientific integrity and plagiarism.
Furthermore
- you will learn how large language models work and what opportunities and risks they have,
- you will receive tips on how to prompt effectively, which use cases are recommended and how you can create your own tools,
- you will reflect on the ethically responsible use of AI-based tools
- you can consolidate what you have learnt in exercises.
As the self-study course is continuously updated and expanded, it is a central source of information to keep you up to date with the latest developments.
Access to the self-study course AI-based tools for scientific writing and research on the Moodle platform
In this classroom course, you will gain an overview of large language models, their opportunities and risks as well as ethical aspects. You will also receive tips on effective prompting techniques and literature search tools. Exercises and discussions are an essential element of the course.
Further information and registration
Based on the self-study course AI-based tools for scientific writing and research on the Moodle platform, we organise flipped classroom workshops. They offer deep dives into topics related to generative AI from creating custom tools to scientific writing tasks.
Together with the Unit for Teaching and Learning (Rectorate), we offer an AI Academy tailored to your needs. Departments, institutes or research groups choose from a “menu” of topics suitable for their academic staff, lecturers and doctoral students. These are in the areas of large language models, scientific writing, literature searches with AI-based tools, ethical aspects of generative AI or in teaching and learning with AI-based tools.
The customised events include content inputs, exercises and discussions, last 1.5 hours and take place on-site in the departments. We organise the event for a minimum of 25 participants.
Please contact us if you would like to organise an AI Academy in your department.
Generative AI affects all areas of study. But are students really equipped to use the right tools for the right purpose? And do they understand the interplay between AI-based tools, academic integrity and plagiarism?
Our pop-up stand is a low-threshold opportunity to ask ETH Library experts questions. Please contact us if you would like to offer a pop-up stand in your department.
