We support AI literature research
In recent months, we have received numerous requests for a centralised solution for AI-supported literature research. Several institutes have already independently purchased licences for corresponding tools. The University Library would like to meet this demand and make a high-quality service available to a larger group of users.
scienceOS is an all-in-one platform for scientific literature research, based in Dresden. The GDPR-compliant solution combines AI-supported search with extensive analysis functions and supports researchers in their daily work.
ScienceOS offers:
- Access to over 230 million scientific publications (including Semantic Scholar)
- AI algorithms that take into account citations, relevance, and publication data
- Upload and full-text analysis of your own documents with a comparison function
- All statements with direct in-text citations and references to minimize hallucinations
- Visualization of connections between publications
- Integrated management with up to 4,000 PDFs
Pilot phase
This is an approx. three-month pilot phase to evaluate scienceOS at TU Bergakademie Freiberg. The aim is to assess the need for and use of the tool at our university. Due to the limited number of licenses, we are unfortunately unable to accommodate all interested parties during this phase. If you are interested, please register for the pilot phase by February 10, 2026. The principle of “first come, first served” applies. Please also inform your students who are currently writing their theses about this opportunity.
| Research staff | Students working on their theses |
| 240 licenses (40 per faculty) | 240 licenses (40 per faculty) |
| Full range of functions | Limited range of functions (without Deep Research) |
- Account duration: The duration of the pilot phase is based on a fixed credit allowance calculated for three months. Once the credits have been used up, the account will automatically be downgraded to the free version with reduced functionality. The stored data will be retained.
- Evaluation: We will conduct a survey at the beginning and end of the pilot phase. Your participation will help us to demonstrate the need for the service and expand the offering if necessary.
- Financing: The pilot phase is financed by the University Library. Continuation will be coordinated with the Rectorate and the faculties.
What do you need to do to participate in the pilot phase?
1. Registration:
Register with scienceOS
If you do not yet have an account with scienceOS using your university email address (@subdomain.tu-freiberg.de), please register via the scienceOS link (app.scienceos.ai). By doing so, you accept the terms of use!
Fill out the library registration form
Register using our library service form. The registration form is only accessible within the university. Students: Please indicate your supervisor.
You will receive a notification from ScienceOS as soon as your Angel license with extended functionality has been activated.
2. Participation in the survey:
The University Library will send you an invitation to participate in the LimeSurvey survey. Your feedback will help us document the need for additional options. Thank you in advance for your participation!
FAQ
Why is there only a limited number of licenses?
With 480 licenses (240 for academic staff, 240 for students), we want to enable as many interested parties as possible to participate and at the same time carry out a meaningful evaluation.
Why does the pilot phase only last three months?
The minimum term of 3 months is based on the calculated credit volume. We have conservatively calculated the credit volume for 500 licenses over 3 months in order to give all participants a meaningful trial period.
Why is the offer divided into 40 licenses per faculty?
The allocation of 40 licenses per faculty (for 6 faculties) makes administration much easier. Distribution based on full-time equivalents (FTEs) and the number of students in the faculties, among other factors, would be much more complex in terms of calculation and allocation.
Why don't students have access to Deep Research?
Students writing their thesis should learn how to conduct academic research and literature searches using the correct methodology. The limited range of functions supports the learning process without replacing independent study of academic literature.
Why are credits used at all?
AI-supported functions such as text analysis, semantic search, and literature comparison incur computing costs. The credit system makes it possible to record actual usage.
Why can only students working on their thesis register?
This ensures that the licenses are actually used by students who are actively working on their thesis and already have the necessary basic knowledge of scientific research. This prevents students in their early semesters from using the tool who are not yet able to benefit from the advanced features or who have not yet mastered the methodological basics.
Why is an evaluation being conducted in the first place?
The surveys conducted at the beginning and end of the pilot phase enable us to assess the need for an AI research tool. This data is crucial for making an informed decision about whether to continue.
Why is participation only possible with a TU email address?
Registration with a TU email address (@subdomain.tu-freiberg.de) allows us to clearly assign users to the respective faculties and facilitates monitoring during the pilot phase. In addition, a possible Shibboleth connection is planned for the future, which requires an institutional email address.
Why is it downgraded to the free version after the pilot phase?
The automatic downgrade to the free version after the credits have been used up is provided for in the scienceOS license model. Your stored data and PDFs will remain intact; only the range of functions will be reduced.
Why was scienceOS chosen and not another tool?
scienceOS impressed us for several reasons:
- Regional proximity: The company is based in Dresden
- Legal certainty: The solution is GDPR-compliant and subject to European law
- Digital sovereignty: We value European providers and
Why does the “first come, first served” principle apply?
The first-come, first-served principle is the fairest and most administratively straightforward method for issuing licenses. A lottery system would be much more complicated to organize and would delay the activation of participants.
Is there a recording of the scienceOS online training course?
The recording of the webinar is available internally at the university at this link.
Contact persons
If you have any questions about the pilot phase, registration, or technical issues, please contact us.
