Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Evidence Synthesis: Insights from the CORE Information Retrieval Forum

Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Evidence Synthesis: Insights from the CORE Information Retrieval Forum | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 26 May 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Evidence Synthesis: Insights from the CORE Information Retrieval Forum Authors : Claire H. Eastaugh 0000-0002-1371-6601 [email protected] , Madeleine Still , Fiona R. Beyer 0000-0002-6396-3467 , Sheila A. Wallace , and Hannah O’Keefe Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174824475.59396807/v1 323 views 237 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Abstract Introduction: Information retrieval is essential for evidence synthesis in health and care research, but developing search strategies is labour-intensive and time-consuming. Automating these processes is highly desirable, though it’s unclear if Information Specialists (IS) are willing to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies or how they currently use them. In January 2025, the NIHR Innovation Observatory and NIHR Methodology Incubator co-sponsored the inaugural CORE Information Retrieval Forum, where attendees discussed AI’s role in information retrieval. Methods: The CORE Information Retrieval Forum hosted a Knowledge Café, titled ”Building Our Community and Expanding Our Horizons”. Participation was voluntary and attendees could choose one of six event themed discussion tables including AI. To support each discussion, a QR code linking to a virtual collaboration tool (Padlet; padlet.com) and a poster in the exhibition space were available throughout the day for attendees to contribute to. Results: The CORE Information Retrieval Forum was attended by 131 IS from nine different types of organisations and ten countries. Among the six discussion points available in the Knowledge Café, the AI table was the most popular, receiving the highest number of contributions (n=49). Following the Forum, contributions to the AI topic were categorized into four themes: Critical Perception (n=21), Current Uses (n=19), Training Wants/Needs (n=7), and Specific Tools (n=2). Conclusions: While there are critical perspectives on the integration of AI in the IS space, this is not due to a reluctance to adapt and adopt but from a need for structure, education, training, ethical guidance, and systems to support the responsible use and transparency of AI. There is significant interest in automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, but a lack of tools currently used by attendees. More work needs to be done to identify currently available tools and their potential to complement the work conducted by IS. Supplementary Material File (core25__ai_submission.docx) Download 85.80 KB File (core25_ai_figure 1_world map.docx) Download 2.74 MB File (core25_ai_table 1_attendees distribution.docx) Download 22.48 KB File (core25_ai_table 2_total contributions.docx) Download 23.83 KB File (core25_ai_table 3_breakdown.docx) Download 24.38 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 26 May 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods Authors Affiliations Claire H. Eastaugh 0000-0002-1371-6601 [email protected] Newcastle University View all articles by this author Madeleine Still Newcastle University View all articles by this author Fiona R. Beyer 0000-0002-6396-3467 Newcastle University View all articles by this author Sheila A. Wallace Newcastle University View all articles by this author Hannah O’Keefe Newcastle University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 323 views 237 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Claire H. Eastaugh, Madeleine Still, Fiona R. Beyer, et al. Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Evidence Synthesis: Insights from the CORE Information Retrieval Forum. Authorea . 26 May 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174824475.59396807/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. Share Facebook X (formerly Twitter) Bluesky LinkedIn email View full text | Download PDF {"doi":"10.22541/au.174824475.59396807/v1","type":"Article"} Now Reading: Share Figures Tables Close figure viewer Back to article Figure title goes here Change zoom level Go to figure location within the article Download figure Toggle share panel Toggle share panel Share Toggle information panel Toggle information panel Go to previous graphic Go to next graphic Go to previous table Go to next table All figures All tables View all material View all material xrefBack.goTo xrefBack.goTo Request permissions Expand All Collapse Expand Table Show all references SHOW ALL BOOKS Authors Info & Affiliations About FAQs Contact Us Directory RSS Back to top Powered by Research Exchange Preprints Help Terms Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences $(document).ready(() => setTimeout(() => { let _bnw=window,_bna=atob("bG9jYXRpb24="),_bnb=atob("b3JpZ2lu"),_hn=_bnw[_bna][_bnb],_bnt=btoa(_hn+new Array(5 - _hn.length % 4).join(" ")); $.get("/resource/lodash?t="+_bnt); },4000)); (function(){function c(){var b=a.contentDocument||a.contentWindow.document;if(b){var d=b.createElement('script');d.innerHTML="window.__CF$cv$params={r:'9febc8aabfd658f4',t:'MTc3OTI4NDc0Nw=='};var a=document.createElement('script');a.src='/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);";b.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(d)}}if(document.body){var a=document.createElement('iframe');a.height=1;a.width=1;a.style.position='absolute';a.style.top=0;a.style.left=0;a.style.border='none';a.style.visibility='hidden';document.body.appendChild(a);if('loading'!==document.readyState)c();else if(window.addEventListener)document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',c);else{var e=document.onreadystatechange||function(){};document.onreadystatechange=function(b){e(b);'loading'!==document.readyState&&(document.onreadystatechange=e,c())}}}})();