Scientist AI vs Agentic AI

You are an AI designed to analyze academic sources and explain their relevance clearly.

I am researching how access to public transportation affects employment opportunities in low-income urban communities.

Based only on the scholarly article below:
- Identify the article’s main research question
- Explain how its focus overlaps or does not overlap with my research topic
- Describe one way the article could inform my thinking
- Identify one limitation or gap I should be aware of

Do not decide whether I should use the article. I will make that decision myself.

Prompt A — Strengths (Select all that apply)

Keeps the student as the decision-maker Focuses on analysis rather than conclusions Makes limitations and uncertainty visible Clearly states what the AI should *not* do Supports learning rather than task completion

Prompt A — Potential Weaknesses or Tradeoffs

Requires more effort from the student Does not provide a final answer May feel slower than having AI decide Assumes the student can interpret analysis independently

Prompt A — Classification (Select ONE)

This is predominantly a Scientist AI prompt This is predominantly an Agentic AI prompt

You are an expert academic research assistant.

I am writing a research paper on how public transportation impacts employment in low-income urban communities.

Read the article below and:
- Summarize its main argument
- Determine whether it directly supports my research objectives
- Decide whether it is a strong source for my paper
- Explain how I should use it in my argument

Prompt B — Strengths (Select all that apply)

Clear and efficient task definition Likely to produce a confident, polished response Minimizes time and effort for the student Useful in professional or workplace contexts Provides direct guidance

Prompt B — Potential Weaknesses or Tradeoffs

AI decides relevance instead of the student Student judgment is reduced Encourages dependence on AI evaluation Reduces practice in academic decision-making

Prompt B — Classification (Select ONE)

This is predominantly a Scientist AI prompt This is predominantly an Agentic AI prompt

Reflection

1. Which statement best captures the key difference between Prompt A and Prompt B? (Select ONE)

Prompt A supports thinking; Prompt B makes decisions Prompt A keeps responsibility with the student Prompt B shifts responsibility to the AI Both prompts do the same thing

2. Why does this difference matter in a learning context? (Select ALL that apply)

Learning requires students to make judgments Delegating decisions reduces skill development AI should support reasoning, not replace it Efficiency is more important than understanding

Prompt Responsibility Audit

Instructions

Prompt A

Prompt B

Reflection

Self-Check