Personal AI Research Mentor: Browser Version

Turn an idea into a research question you can investigate, then get guidance on the first steps of your project. Choose a mentoring approach inspired by the methods of a well-known scientist from history.

Try it free without a powerful GPU

The mentor is free for personal and noncommercial use. On a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer, Ollama Cloud includes monthly starter usage at no cost. Install Ollama as a small connector and the AI model runs online; additional cloud usage can cost money.

Set up your session

Choose the reasoning engine (LLM), then choose Question Workshop or Office.

Choose the reasoning engine

The reasoning engine is the large language model (LLM) that writes each reply. No powerful GPU? Choose Ollama Cloud for monthly starter usage at no cost. You can also run the LLM in this browser or on this computer through Ollama.

LLM in this browserChecking what this computer can run.

LLM on this computer with OllamaInstall Ollama and choose an AI model stored on this computer. The suggested model needs about 12 GB of free memory. On a Mac, that means unified memory; on a PC, memory on the graphics card. Smaller models may need less.

Ollama Cloud: no powerful GPU neededInstall Ollama as a small connector; the AI model is hosted in the cloud, so your computer does not need to run it. The free plan Ollama offers includes monthly starter usage; additional usage can cost money.

Where your conversation goes

There is no server of ours behind this page. Nothing you type reaches the Society of Teen Scientists or Authentic Research Partners.

In this browser: the model and conversation stay on this computer.
With Ollama on this computer: the browser sends each message to the Ollama app at the address above. With the default local address, the model and conversation stay on this computer.
With Ollama Cloud: the Ollama app forwards the conversation to Ollama Cloud under your account. Cloud usage may cost money. Your Ollama sign-in stays in Ollama; this page does not ask for or receive an API key or account credential. Review Ollama's current Privacy Policy and Terms before use, and do not enter sensitive personal or confidential information.

This page does not save your conversation. Closing it ends the session; use “Save the conversation” first if you want to keep a copy.

Question Workshop

Research Mentor Office

When You Need the Full Research Mentor

The browser mentor above is designed for a quick start with Question Workshop or Office. For project history, literature search, files, research tools, skill-development monitoring and continued guidance across the full research process, use the full Personal AI Research Mentor, a Python app you install on your computer.

Compare the options

Browser version ofPersonal AI Research MentorFull version ofPersonal AI Research Mentor

Setup: BrowserNo installation for the in-browser model; Ollama options require Ollama.; Full appInstall the Python app on your computer.
AI model options: BrowserRun a model in this browser if your device passes its hardware check. No powerful GPU? On a computer, connect through Ollama Cloud with monthly starter usage at no cost.; Full appUse Claude Code CLI, a local vLLM server, or an OpenAI-compatible API. Claude Code CLI can use a Claude Pro or Max subscription within plan limits; Anthropic may charge separately for third-party app use.
Question Workshop: BrowserOne route: build a research question from a hypothesis.; Full appAll nine routes to a research question.
Office: BrowserAll four guidance modes, chosen by you. Switch between Office and Question Workshop without losing either conversation.; Full appThe complete Office, with project context and research tools.
Project memory: BrowserEnds when you close the page; you can download a copy.; Full appRemembers your project between sessions.
Research sources: BrowserNot included.; Full appSearches research literature while you work.
Research skill development: BrowserNot assessed; you choose and change the Office guidance mode yourself.; Full appAssesses and monitors eight research skills as they develop, so guidance can respond to your progress.
Files, data and sharing: BrowserNot included.; Full appReads your files, works through statistics and guides you toward sharing your results.

License for Both Versions

Both the browser version and the full app use the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0. They are free for personal and noncommercial use and are not designed for commercial use.

Install the Full Personal AI Research Mentor

The full version is a Python app for Windows, Mac, or Linux. Open the steps below to install it on your computer.

Install the full Personal AI Research Mentor

Install the Python app on a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer.

Windows

In PowerShell, install uv:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"

Close and reopen PowerShell, then install the mentor:

uv tool install research-mentor --python 3.13

Mac or Linux

In Terminal, install uv:

curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

Then install the mentor:

uv tool install research-mentor --python 3.13

Start the app

Run this in PowerShell or Terminal:

research-mentor

Open http://localhost:8080 in your browser.