AI for Summarizing Articles: How It Works & 10 Tools You Can Use

Why AI Summarization Matters: Key Benefits

Over the past few years, AI technology has advanced and makes it possible to generate accurate, fluent summaries of textual documents. There are several advantages to using AI to summarize articles:

• Time-effectiveness: The ability to quickly summarize large volumes of text significantly saves time. AI-driven summarization tools streamline reading processes, enabling users to consume more content in less time.
• Information accessibility: AI summarization tools convert complex information into digestible summaries. Summaries can also help simplify the content, making it easier to understand and recall. Because these tools are automated, they can be used on the fly on any type of content, helping make information more accessible for everyone.
• Support for long articles: Some AI summarization tools can create summaries of long textual content, up to hundreds of pages with the latest large language models (LLMs). This can be extremely valuable and requires a large effort to do manually.
• Multilingual capabilities: AI summarization tools can handle content across multiple languages, enhancing global communication. By breaking down language barriers, these applications support users in understanding and summarizing non-native languages swiftly, making content accessible internationally.

This is part of a series of articles about AI summarization.

In this article:

How AI Article Summarization Works

Modern AI article summarization uses Large Language Models (LLMs), which have an improved ability to understand and synthesize text compared to earlier machine learning approaches. Early LLMs like BART and T5 are commonly used for text summarization. More advanced LLMs like Meta LLaMA or GPT-4 can also be used for summarization, but require far greater computing resources than simple models like T5.

Let’s review how these models work to summarize text:

Understanding Context

LLMs are based on the transformer architecture, which uses an attention mechanism that helps the model focus on different parts of the text at different times, understanding relationships and context far beyond simple word co-occurrence.

By analyzing the entire text, LLMs understand the flow, sentiment, and detailed meanings within the text, rather than just extracting keywords or phrases.

Generating Abstractive Summaries

LLMs are uniquely capable of performing abstractive summarization. Unlike extractive summarization, which simply picks and compiles parts of the original text, abstractive summarization involves paraphrasing, rephrasing, or even generating entirely new sentences to capture the essence of the text. This is done by predicting new words or phrases that fit the context of the summarized content.

Techniques like beam search, top-k sampling, and top-p sampling can be used to select the most important text and generate more coherent and contextually appropriate summaries.

Fine-Tuning

LLMs can be fine-tuned on specific types of texts (like news articles, scientific papers) to adapt the model’s summarization style according to the domain or the desired verbosity and style of the summary. By training on domain-specific data, LLMs can produce summaries that better understand and incorporate the jargon and nuances of that particular field.

Key Features of an AI Article Summary Generator

AI summarization tools typically include the following features:

• Summary customization: Users can adjust settings to vary the length, detail, and focus of summaries based on their particular requirements. The ability to configure outputs enables tailored solutions for diverse applications, from academic research to business intelligence, ensuring that summaries deliver maximum relevance and utility.
• Collaboration and sharing: AI summary generators often include collaborative features that facilitate sharing and teamwork. Users can share summaries within groups or across platforms, enhancing collective understanding and discussion. This is useful in organizational settings where team alignment on specific content is necessary.
• Integrations: Summary generators can connect with data management systems, learning platforms, or professional software, streamlining workflow and information synthesis. Integration facilitates seamless content transition from full texts to summaries, aligning with user systems and operations.

Notable AI Article Summary Generators

1. QuillBot

QuillBot's Summarizer is an AI tool designed to condense articles, papers, and documents into their essential points quickly and accurately. It uses machine learning to understand and extract important information while preserving the original context.

Direct link: https://quillbot.com/summarize

Cost: Free, $8.33/month Premium

Algorithm used: Traditional natural language processing

Key features of QuillBot:

• Modes: Offers different summarization modes, including Paragraph and Bullet Points.
• Summary length control: Allows users to adjust the length of the summary with a slider for short or long summaries.
• Ease of use: Simple interface for pasting text or uploading documents for summarization.
• Custom summaries: Enables custom instructions for tailored summaries.
• Integrations: Compatible with Chrome, Word, and macOS.

Source: QuillBot

2. Scholarcy

Scholarcy’s AI summarizer extracts key information from research papers, delivering fast and reliable summaries. It breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-read sections.

Direct link: https://library.scholarcy.com/signup

Cost: 7 day free trial, $9.99 per month

Algorithm used: Neural network based on bottom-up attention

Key features of Scholarcy:

• Multiformat summarization: Capable of summarizing papers, PDFs, book chapters, online articles, and YouTube videos.
• Easy import: Users can drag and drop files, paste text, enter URLs, or use the browser extension to import content.
• Customized summaries: Customize summaries to fit your reading style, from bulleted lists to one-liners.
• Snapshots: Quickly read key points from a paper, ensuring all information is sourced from the original text.
• Clean reading: Flashcards help users skim or delve into details, allowing easy navigation between sections.
• Spotlight: Highlights key terms and findings, guiding readers through evidence-based statements.

Source: Scholarcy

3. SMMRY

SMMRY is designed to summarize text efficiently by focusing on the most important sentences.

Direct link: https://smmry.com/

Cost: Free

Algorithm used: Ranks sentences by importance to create extractive summaries

Key features of SMMRY:

• Topic focus: Reorganizes summaries around key topics by selecting keywords, providing a coherent and focused summary.
• Removes transition phrases, clauses, and examples: Eliminates transition phrases that do not contribute to the main content, unnecessary clauses and excessive examples.
• SMMRY API: Offers an API for developers to integrate SMMRY into various applications, requiring an API key for access.
  • Free mode: Allows 100 free API requests daily with a 10-second interval between requests.
  • Full mode: Provides unlimited API requests with no wait time for a small fee.

Source: SMMRY

4. Wordtune

Wordtune’s summarizer helps maximize efficiency by condensing any text or YouTube video, making it easier to grasp key points quickly. This tool reduces the time spent on reading and watching, allowing users to focus on essential information.

Direct link: https://www.wordtune.com/summarizer

Cost: Free, $6.99/month Advanced, $9.99 Unlimited

Algorithm used: Not disclosed

Key features of Wordtune:

• Versatile applications: Suitable for academic papers, magazine articles, and various other content formats.
• Web browser extension: Allows users to summarize content directly from any website, making it possible to access summaries on the go.
• Notes and library features: Enables users to organize and store summaries, notes, and other important information in a centralized library for easy access and reference.

Source: Wordtune

5. Summarizer.org

The AI Summarizer tool shortens text while preserving all main points and maintaining the original context. It supports various content types, including essays and blog posts, and provides accurate summaries with essential information intact.

Direct link: https://www.summarizer.org/

Cost: Free with premium features up to $4.99/week

Algorithm used: Machine learning and NLP models

Key features of Summarizer.org:

• Summary formats: Offers summaries in both bullet points and one-line formats.
• Multilingual support: Capable of summarizing text in seven different languages, making it versatile for global use.
• Word count display: Shows word count before and after summarization, allowing users to track the length of their content.
• Adjustable summary length: Users can manually set the summary length using a scroll bar.
• Best line selection: Highlights the best line of content for enhanced readability and focus.
• Data safety: Ensures data safety and privacy by not storing any user data.

Source: Summarizer.org

6. AISEO Text Summarizer

AISEO's Text Summarizer leverages AI technology to provide concise, accurate summaries of various content types, enhancing productivity and reducing information overload.

**Direct link: **https://aiseo.ai/tools/text-summarizer.html

Cost: Free

Algorithm used: Not disclosed

Key features of AISEO Text Summarizer:

• Multiformat support: Capable of summarizing essays, blog posts, news articles, research papers, business reports, books, social media posts, and legal documents.
• Customizable length: Allows users to manually set the summary length according to their needs, using a scroll bar for easy adjustment.
• Bullet points and best lines: Provides summaries in bullet points or single sentences, highlighting the most important points for quick comprehension.
• Data safety: Ensures 100% data safety by not storing any user data, protecting user privacy.

Source: AISEO

AI Article Summary Generators Based on LLMs

7. TLDR This

TLDR This helps summarize texts into concise, easy-to-digest content. Its AI-driven tool condenses long articles and documents while retaining the original context.

Direct link: https://www.tldrthis.com/

Cost: Free version, $4/month Starter, $8.25/month Professional, $16/month Business

Algorithm used: Not disclosed

Key features of TLDR This:

• Metadata extraction: Automatically extracts essential metadata, including author, date, related images, and estimated reading time, consolidating all necessary information for easy reading.
• Browser extensions: Summarizes a web page instantly with via browser extensions available on the Chrome Web Store.
• Multi-format support: Summarizes content from various formats, including PDFs and Word documents, up to 25 MB in size.

Source: TLDR This

8. Grammarly Summarizer Generator

Grammarly’s Summarizer Generator is designed to transform complex ideas into clear and concise writing. It helps users create condensed versions of various texts, such as project plans and articles, making them easy to understand and share.

**Direct link: **https://www.grammarly.com/summarizing-tool

Cost: Free

Algorithm used: Natural language processing

Key features of Grammarly Summarizer Generator:

• Versatile content support: Accurately summarizes blog posts, project proposals, reports, and more.
• Customizable tone and format: Allows users to choose the tone and format of the summary to suit their needs.
• Accessibility: Free to use, enhancing writing and summarizing capabilities for all users.
• Uses Grammarly technology: Verified correct English grammar and phrasing using Grammarly’s underlying engine.

Source: Grammarly

9. Semrush AI Summarizer

The Semrush AI summarizer simplifies content writing by transforming lengthy text, such as articles and paragraphs, into digestible and engaging summaries with one click.

Direct link: https://www.semrush.com/goodcontent/summary-generator/

Cost: Free

Algorithm used: Foundation large language model

Key features of Semrush AI Summarizer:

• Quick and concise summaries: The AI-based tool provides fast and accurate summaries for any lengthy text, including articles and paragraphs.
• Algorithm: Identifies and extracts the most important points, ensuring that summaries capture the essence of the original content.
• Unlimited use: Available for free without any usage limits.
• Revamp lengthy content: Transforms long articles and paragraphs into approachable summaries and bullet points.
• Customization options: Offers three summary lengths—short, medium, and long—to suit various needs and preferences.

Source: Semrush

10. Sharly AI

Sharly AI's summarizer tool leverages artificial intelligence to generate concise summaries for various content types, including PDFs, general documents, articles, audio files, and presentations.

Direct link: https://sharly.ai/

Cost: Free basic tier, professional tier at $15 per month

Algorithm used: Not disclosed

Key features of Sharly AI:

• Accurate AI summary: Sharly's AI discerns key points from complex content, enabling precise summaries for materials like research papers, business reports, and meeting recordings.
• Built-in transcription: Able to automatically transcribe spoken content in multimedia files.
• Multi-format support: Supports a wide range of document and multimedia file formats, including PDF, .docx, .txt, .csv, .mp3, .mp4, and more.
• Cross-document analysis: Summarizes and compares points across multiple documents, providing a comprehensive overview.
• Customizable summaries: Offers flexibility in summary length and focus, tailored to specific user needs.
• Secure and confidential: Ensures the privacy and security of uploaded documents.

Building AI Article Summarization with Acorn

Acorn’s scripting language, GPTScript, is a great way to automate tools with LLMs that allow you simplify large documents. Check out this tutorial on how to build a Legal Simplifier using GPTScript.

Visit GPTScript.ai today to start building with GPTscript.