Overview
JSTOR is introducing a new AI-assisted Dynamic Search Experience for users at participating institutions where its on-platform artificial-intelligence features are enabled. The new search option is designed to help researchers explore questions and unfamiliar subjects by identifying related concepts and academic sources according to meaning and context.
Dynamic search will complement JSTOR’s existing keyword search rather than replace it. The platform will continue directing users to original source materials, while responsibility for reading, evaluating evidence, interpreting information and drawing conclusions will remain with the researcher.
Details
Feature: AI-assisted Dynamic Search Experience
Platform: JSTOR
Organisation: ITHAKA
Introduction period: Fall 2026
Availability: The feature will be available to users at participating institutions where JSTOR’s on-platform AI capabilities are enabled.
Primary purpose: Dynamic search is intended to help researchers investigate questions and become familiar with new or unfamiliar topics.
Meaning-based discovery: The feature can identify related ideas and sources based on their meaning and context rather than relying entirely on exact keywords.
Source discovery: Researchers may use dynamic search to locate academic materials connected conceptually to their research questions.
Original sources: Search results will provide clear routes to the original source content hosted on JSTOR.
Keyword search: The new capability will complement JSTOR’s conventional keyword-search functionality.
Research tool relationship: Dynamic search follows the same researcher-centred approach as JSTOR’s existing AI-assisted research tool.
Researcher responsibility: Reading, source evaluation, interpretation and the development of conclusions will remain the responsibility of individual researchers.
Institutional control: Participating institutions retain control over whether JSTOR’s on-platform AI features are made available to their users.
Default setting: If an institution has opted out of or disabled JSTOR’s research tool, dynamic search will also be disabled by default.
Opt-in process: Institutions interested in activating the new experience may contact JSTOR for assistance.
Institutional settings: Libraries and institutional administrators may contact JSTOR if they have questions about their current AI-feature settings.
Feedback: JSTOR is inviting feedback from researchers, users and librarians about the new search capability.
Help Centre: Additional guidance and support are available through the JSTOR Help Centre.
AI information: Readers may consult JSTOR’s information resources for further details about the organisation’s approach to artificial intelligence.
