This post is part of a series of blogs looking at different types of AI tools. In this one we are looking at a selection of AI-powered search tools that help users find information more efficiently and intelligently. These tools often provide summarised, conversational answers or pull together content from multiple sources. In UK higher and further education, they are proving valuable for research, studying, and staying up to date without relying solely on traditional search engines.
This listing includes contributions from across the AI team.
We also have a selection of other blogs in this series:
Accessibility | Content Creation | Images | Learning, Skills & Training | Professional Services | Research | Search
Quick jump-to links
Google Search with AI Overviews
ChatGPT (as Search)
Description: ChatGPT can act as a conversational search assistant, answering questions, explaining complex topics, and (on eligible plans) pulling in current web information with citations. It’s widely used for research scoping, quick overviews, and finding relevant sources to explore further.
Getting Started: Visit ChatGPT, create an account, and ask a question in natural language. On paid plans (and some managed institutional accounts) you can enable web browsing and file uploads to get sourced answers and summaries.
Examples of use: None currently – we’d love submissions of examples.
Key Information:
- Cost: Free basic plan; ChatGPT Plus ~£16/month; Team and Enterprise available
- Enterprise version available? Yes – OpenAI Enterprise
- Privacy and IPR: Yes – Privacy Policy
- GDPR statement? Yes – covered in the Privacy Policy
- Accessibility statement or guidance: No
- Age Restrictions: 13+ with parental consent (18+ for Teams/Enterprise)
- AI Team? Yes – tested by the AI team for search and citation workflows
(Entry created 12 August 2025)
Google Search with AI Overviews
Description: Google’s AI Overviews provide an AI-generated snapshot for some queries, with links to dig deeper. It helps users get the gist of complex topics and then explore cited web pages. For chat‑style searching, see the Gemini web app.
Getting Started: Use Google Search as normal; AI Overviews will appear when available. For conversational assistance, try Gemini.
Examples of use: None currently – we’d love submissions of examples.
Key Information:
- Cost: Free
- Enterprise version available? Yes – via Workspace Gemini for Education/Business
- Privacy and IPR: Yes – Google Privacy Policy
- GDPR statement? No, not specifically for AI overviews, but – Google Privacy Policy
- Accessibility statement or guidance: Google accessibility resources
- Age Restrictions: 13+ (standard web use)
- AI Team? Yes – tested by the AI team for quick topic overviews
(Entry created 12 August 2025)
Arc Search
Description: Arc Search is an AI-first search engine from The Browser Company that blends traditional search with conversational AI summarised content. It’s “Browse for Me” mode visits and reads multiple sources on your behalf, then delivers a concise, sourced overview. This can help students and staff quickly grasp complex topics and locate key resources.
Getting Started: Visit Arc Search or download the Arc Browser. Enter a search query and choose the “Browse for Me” option to generate an AI-assisted summary with citations.
Examples of use: None currently – we’d love submissions of examples.
Key Information:
- Cost: Free
- Enterprise version available? No dedicated EDU tier, but free to use
- Privacy and IPR: Yes – Privacy Policy
- GDPR statement? Yes – Privacy Policy
- Accessibility statement or guidance: Not specified
- Age Restrictions: 13+ (standard web use)
- AI Team? Yes – tested by the AI team for summarised search workflows
(Entry created 12 August 2025)
Andi Search
Description: Andi Search is a free, AI-powered search engine that delivers direct, conversational answers while eliminating ads and trackers. It’s designed to feel like chatting with a knowledgeable friend—making it ideal for quick fact-checking, briefing, and streamlined research.
Getting Started: Visit Andi Search, enter your query, and receive an AI-generated response that blends search results with clear, concise explanations.
Examples of use: None currently – we’d love submissions of examples.
Key Information:
- Cost: Free to use
- Enterprise version available? No
- Privacy and IPR: Yes – ad-free, tracker-free
- GDPR statement? Yes – privacy policy
- Accessibility statement or guidance: Not specified
- Age Restrictions: 13+ (standard web use)
- AI Team? Yes – tested for quick, clean AI search workflows
(Entry created 12 August 2025)
Microsoft Copilot (Web)
Description: Microsoft Copilot (Web) is the evolution of Bing Chat, integrating Microsoft’s generative AI into web search. Based on GPT‑4 from OpenAI, it offers conversational answers, summarised content, and citations. In the Bing browser or Microsoft Edge sidebar, it can also summarise pages and respond to in‑context queries. This version does not access organisational resources within Microsoft 365 unless used with an institutional account.
Getting Started: Go to the Copilot website or use Microsoft Edge’s sidebar Copilot. Sign in if you want personalised results or use with an education/business account for institutional features.
Examples of use
- Students using Bing with AI to design visuals such as logos and character concepts, aiding creative tasks in art and design units – see AI Image Generation Pilot insights
- Supporting maths problem-solving, generating study notes, and assisting neurodiverse learners by providing structured rehearsal for expression – see Student Perceptions of AI 2025
- Summarising Microsoft Teams meetings for quick creation of follow-up communications or blog posts – see Copilot 365 Teams Meeting Summary
Key Information:
- Cost: Free for general web use; institutional Copilot add‑on from £23.10/user/month (annual pricing). See latest pricing
- Enterprise version available? Yes – for education and business, see institutional deployment
- Privacy and IPR statement? Yes – see the Microsoft privacy statement
- GDPR statement? Yes – see the Microsoft privacy statement
- Accessibility statement or guidance: Yes – see Microsoft accessibility resources
- Age Restrictions: 13+ with parental consent for students under 18 using education accounts (Entra ID setting required); full commercial access restricted to 18+. Details
- AI Team? Yes – widely used amongst the AI team and Jisc for search, summarisation, and teaching preparation
(Entry created 28 August 2024, Updated 12 August 2025)
DeepSeek
Description: DeepSeek is an AI-powered search tool that specialises in technical queries, coding help, and research assistance. It uses conversational responses with citations and supports multiple languages, offering summarised answers for technical topics.
Getting Started: Visit DeepSeek, type a question, and review the AI-generated answers and references.
Examples of use: None currently – we’d love submissions of examples.
Key Information:
- Cost: Free basic use
- Enterprise version available? No
- Privacy and IPR: Yes – see Privacy Policy
- GDPR statement? Yes, but there are concerns and an investigation ongoing into GDPR breaches: DeepSeek AI under EU deepseek ai under eu scrutiny
- Accessibility statement or guidance: Not specified
- Age Restrictions: 13+ (standard web use)
- AI Team? Yes – tested for technical and research queries
(Entry created 12 August 2025)
Phind
Description: Phind is an AI search engine aimed at developers and technical professionals. It provides detailed, cited answers and can generate code, making it suitable for IT and computer science education.
Getting Started: Visit Phind, enter your query, and review the AI-generated answer along with source links.
Examples of use: None currently – we’d love submissions of examples.
Key Information:
- Cost: Free tier available; pro plans via Phind Pricing
- Enterprise version available? No
- Privacy and IPR: Yes – see Privacy Policy
- GDPR statement? Yes – see Privacy Policy
- Accessibility statement or guidance: Not specified
- Age Restrictions: 13+ (standard web use)
- AI Team? Yes – tested for technical education and search
(Entry created 12 August 2025)
Kagi
Description: Kagi is a premium, ad‑free search engine focused on privacy and high‑quality results, with answer summaries and powerful filtering (“lenses”).
Getting Started: Visit Kagi and sign up for a subscription; try limited free searches to evaluate quality.
Examples of use: None currently – we’d love submissions of examples.
Key Information:
- Cost: Subscription (no ads) – see Kagi pricing
- Enterprise version available? No dedicated EDU tier; individual/institutional billing supported
- Privacy and IPR: Yes – Privacy Policy
- GDPR statement? Yes – Privacy Policy
- Accessibility statement or guidance: Clean UI, no ads
- Age Restrictions: 13+ (standard web use)
- AI Team? Yes – tested by the AI team for focused research
(Entry created 12 August 2025)
Perplexity AI
Description: Perplexity AI is an AI-powered search engine designed to give users answers to their queries from the web. It works as a hybrid between ChatGPT and Google, offering real-time insights, content generation, and deep research capabilities.
Getting Started: Visit Perplexity AI, create an account and start searching. You can use it to ask questions and cite answers so that users can verify the sources. More information is available here Perplexity AI Getting Started
Examples of use: None currently – we’d love submissions of examples.
Key Information:
- Cost: You can start for free, and users can upgrade to a pro account for Perplexity AI Pro
- Enterprise version available? Yes, more details are available here Perplexity AI Enterprise
- Privacy and IPR: Yes, Privacy Policy
- GDPR statement? Yes, Privacy Policy
- Accessibility statement or guidance: No
- Age Restrictions: 13+ (standard web use)
- AI Team? Yes, it’s a very useful tool for searching and is one we have been watching for a while
(Entry created 03 February 2025)
Change Log
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- Version 1.1 – Added Andi Search, Arc Search, Bing With AI, ChatGPT (as Search), DeepSeek, Google Search with AI Overviews, Kagi, Phind. Updated Microsoft Copilot (Web)
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Contributors:
Tim Finch, Dan George, Helen Nicholson-Benn, Michael Webb, Tom Moule, Manya Sikombe, Sue Attewell
Find out more by visiting our Artificial Intelligence page to view publications and resources, join us for events and discover what AI has to offer through our range of interactive online demos.
Join our AI in Education communities to stay up to date and engage with other members.
Get in touch with the team directly at AI@jisc.ac.uk