Elicit AI Research Tool and New Features Update (Dec 2025)
Elicit AI Research Tool has solidified its position as the premier tool for evidence-based research, now serving over 5 million researchers globally. With its latest updates released in December 2025, the platform has transcended simple literature searching to become a comprehensive research ecosystem. Specifically, the introduction of “Research Agents” and the integration of next-generation models like Claude Opus 4.5 have redefined what is possible in automated systematic reviews. For academic institutions and pharmaceutical leaders, Elicit AI Research Tool offers a streamlined path to discover the unknown by understanding what science already knows.
Tool Highlights
| Feature Details | Description |
| Tool Name | Elicit (The AI Research Assistant) |
| Latest Update | December 19, 2025 (Strict Screening) |
| Database Size | 138 Million+ Papers, 545k Clinical Trials |
| Core Capabilities | Semantic Search, Data Extraction, Systematic Reviews |
| Target Audience | Academia, Pharma, MedTech, Policy Makers |
| Primary Benefit | 10x Faster Evidence Synthesis |
Tool Overview
Elicit differs significantly from standard chatbots. While general AI tools may hallucinate, Elicit is built on a foundation of accuracy and transparency. It supports every AI-generated claim with sentence-level citations from underlying sources. By indexing over 138 million academic papers and 545,000 clinical trials, it allows researchers to perform deep, semantic searches without needing to guess the perfect keyword. Whether for a quick answer or a multi-month comprehensive review, the tool supports the research lifecycle from beginning to end.
Key Features & 2025 Updates
The platform has expanded its capabilities significantly throughout late 2025.
Semantic Search & Library
Users can search using natural language questions. The “Semantic Search” engine understands the intent behind a query, retrieving relevant results even if keywords do not match exactly. Furthermore, the Library feature allows researchers to store, organize, and reuse sources for future projects, creating a personalized digital knowledge base.
Systematic Literature Review (SLR)
This is Elicit’s most advanced workflow, designed to automate screening and data extraction.
- Efficiency: Researchers report up to 80% time savings.
- Strict Screening (New Dec 2025): Users can now apply strict screening criteria to filter papers rigorosly.
- Capacity: The system can now analyze up to 20,000 data points at once and find up to 1,000 relevant papers per run.
Research Reports with Claude Opus 4.5
In a major technical leap (Dec 17, 2025), Elicit integrated Claude Opus 4.5. Internal evaluations suggest this model outperforms Google Gemini 3 Pro and OpenAI GPT-5 in data extraction tasks. Consequently, the “Research Reports” generated are now more accurate with fewer hallucinations, and can synthesize up to 80 papers in a single brief.
Research Agents
Released on December 9, 2025, Research Agents power complex workflows. These agents are designed for broad topic exploration, competitive landscapes, and detailed research landscape mapping, moving beyond simple Q&A to proactive investigation.
Validated Accuracy & Case Studies
Elicit distinguishes itself through rigorous validation by top research institutions.
- VDI / VDE (German Education Policy): In a systematic review for policy formation, Elicit achieved a 99.4% accuracy rate, correctly extracting 1,502 out of 1,511 data points. This allowed the team to consider 11x more evidence than manual methods.
- Formation Bio: While developing a clinical asset for knee osteoarthritis, the team used Elicit to extract data from 1,600 papers. The process was 10x faster than traditional workflows, enabling rapid assessment of clinical definitions.
- Oxford PharmaGenesis: Advising top global pharmaceutical companies, they now utilize Elicit to review 500+ papers across 40 distinct research questions at an unprecedented scale.
Industries Served
While deeply rooted in Academia, Elicit’s utility spans several high-impact sectors:
- Pharmaceuticals: Accelerating drug discovery and clinical trial design.
- Medical Devices: ensuring products are safe and effective through rigorous evidence review.
- Government Policy: Facilitating evidence-based policy decisions.
- Industrials: Discovering new materials and engineering solutions at scale.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What distinguishes Elicit from tools like ChatGPT?
Elicit is specifically designed for scientific research. It prioritizes accuracy over creativity, supports all claims with direct citations from actual papers, and avoids “hallucinations” common in general-purpose LLMs.
How many papers can Elicit analyze at once?
As of the latest update, Elicit can find up to 1,000 relevant papers in a search and analyze up to 20,000 specific data points simultaneously during extraction.
Is Elicit suitable for systematic reviews?
Yes, it is built for them. The Systematic Literature Review workflow automates screening and extraction, with features like “Strict Screening” added in Dec 2025 to meet high academic standards.
What data sources does Elicit access?
The tool searches over 138 million academic papers and 545,000 clinical trials (from ClinicalTrials.gov), with additional data sources continuously being added.
Is there a free version available?
Yes, Elicit offers a “Try for free” option that allows users to test the search and basic review capabilities. Advanced features like high-volume extraction usually require a subscription or institutional plan.
