Question

Can I use library materials in generative AI systems and chatbots?

Answered By: Karen Merguerian
Last Updated: Oct 03, 2025    Views: 13

Are you wondering whether you can upload library books or articles, or otherwise mine or work with library content, in an AI system like Claude or ChatGPT? The answer is, it depends. 

The library's licenses differ depending on who owns and licenses the rights, and your particular use case will make a difference as well.  

The library's licenses describe what can and cannot be done with content Northeastern's library licenses from publishers and vendors, including any allowances or limitations on AI use.  

  • Note: If you're trying to use an AI system to do academic research, the library recommends scite.ai or Scopus AI Assistant.  These two generative AI systems use chat to answer questions and summarize research in a user-friendly, transparent way, with real scholarly sources you can access and read.  Many other library databases and search services also provide AI support. 

To learn how you may or may not use licensed materials in AI systems, find your item--book, journal, data, media transcript--by searching in Scholar OneSearch. 

Then, click on "Show License". 

Screen capture showing location of "Show License" in Scholar OneSearch

 

In the resulting view, the license is summarized.

Look for a section labelled AI Use Allowance and/or AI Use Allowance Note.  This will tell you what AI uses are permitted and prohibited under Northeastern's license. 

Blurred capture of a license in Scholar OneSearch with AI Use Allowance Sections indicated

 

If you don't see this information in the license, or you need help interpreting the language, please email us for assistance.