Enhancing linguistic research through AI-powered reference management: A proposal for a voice-controlled academic assistant

In today’s digital age, the amount of available research literature is growing exponentially, making it more challenging for researchers to efficiently manage and cite relevant sources. This issue is particularly pronounced in fields like linguistics, where scholars must contend with interdisciplinary sources spanning linguistics, psychology, and computer science. This paper proposes the development of an AI-powered, voice-controlled academic assistant aimed at enhancing the research experience for linguists by streamlining the literature review and citation process. The assistant would use natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning to allow researchers to search for, retrieve, and cite references using voice commands, thereby eliminating many of the tedious aspects of academic research. This proposal outlines the current state of voice-controlled technology, discusses how these technologies can be implemented in academic workflows, and presents a roadmap for the development of a linguist-friendly reference management system. By addressing key technical, ethical, and practical concerns, this paper offers a compelling vision for the future of linguistic research, powered by AI.