Citations and Sources
Aethera’s advanced citation system provides complete transparency in AI responses by showing exactly which documents were analyzed, how information was used, and enabling direct verification of all sources. This system ensures accountability and allows you to trace every piece of information back to its original source.
Overview
The citation system transforms every AI response into a well-documented, verifiable answer with clear source attribution. When you ask questions or request analysis, Aethera:
- Analyzes Tagged Documents: Shows exactly how many files were processed
- Provides Source Attribution: Links every piece of information to its origin
- Enables Verification: Offers direct access to source materials
- Displays Reasoning: Shows how the AI synthesized information from multiple sources
Key Features
Document Analysis Indicator
“Analyzed X files” Badge:
- Appears at the top of AI responses
- Shows the exact number of documents processed
- Indicates the scope of analysis performed
- Helps you understand the comprehensiveness of the response
Source Panel
Comprehensive Source Listing:
- Document Names: Full file names with extensions
- File Types: Clear indication of document formats (PDF, etc.)
- Document Descriptions: Brief summaries or metadata
- Access Links: Direct links to view original documents
Reasoning Section
Expandable AI Reasoning:
- Click to Expand: Reveals detailed analysis process
- Thought Process: Shows how the AI approached your question
- Source Selection: Explains why specific documents were chosen
- Information Synthesis: Demonstrates how multiple sources were combined
How Citations Work
Document Tagging
Use the @ symbol to tag specific documents or sets in your prompt. The AI will analyze all tagged materials.
Analysis Processing
The AI processes your tagged documents and displays “Analyzed X files” to show the scope of analysis.
Response Generation
The AI generates a response with embedded citations and references throughout the text.
Source Attribution
A “Sources” section appears at the bottom of the response, listing all referenced documents.
Verification Access
Click on any source to open the document viewer and verify the information with highlighting.
Source Verification
Direct Document Access
One-Click Verification:
- Click any source link to open the original document
- View documents in the integrated PDF viewer
- See highlighted sections that were referenced
- Navigate through multi-page documents seamlessly
Context Highlighting
Visual Reference Markers:
- Referenced text is highlighted within documents
- Quick identification of relevant sections
- Clear visual connection between AI response and source material
- Page-specific navigation to exact references
Benefits of the Citation System
Transparency and Trust
- Complete Accountability: Every statement can be traced to its source
- Error Detection: Easy to spot and correct any misinterpretations
- Quality Assurance: Verify the AI’s understanding of your documents
- Academic Standards: Professional-level citation and referencing
Research Enhancement
- Source Discovery: Find relevant documents you might have missed
- Cross-Referencing: See how information connects across documents
- Evidence Building: Gather supporting material for your arguments
- Knowledge Mapping: Understand relationships between different sources
Workflow Efficiency
- Quick Verification: Instantly check source material without manual searching
- Document Navigation: Jump directly to relevant sections
- Research Validation: Confirm findings against original sources
- Citation Export: Use references for further documentation
Best Practices
Tagging Strategy
Selective Tagging:
- Tag only relevant documents for focused analysis
- Use sets for comprehensive topic coverage
- Combine specific documents with broader sets when needed
Quality Control:
- Review the “Analyzed X files” count to ensure appropriate scope
- Check that all expected sources appear in the Sources panel
- Verify that the reasoning section explains the analysis approach
Verification Workflow
Source Checking:
- Always review the Sources panel for completeness
- Click through to verify key claims or statistics
- Use the reasoning section to understand analysis methodology
- Cross-check surprising or unexpected findings
The reasoning section is particularly valuable for complex questions involving multiple documents. It shows how the AI weighted different sources and resolved potential conflicts between documents.
Currently, only PDF files support the full highlighting and viewer integration. Other file types will appear in sources but without in-app highlighting features.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Missing Sources:
- Ensure documents are properly tagged with @ symbol
- Check that tagged documents contain relevant information
- Verify documents are uploaded and accessible
Incomplete Analysis:
- Review the “Analyzed X files” count
- Re-tag documents if expected files are missing
- Use more specific tagging for focused analysis
Citation Verification:
- Click source links to verify document access
- Check that highlighted sections match cited information
- Report any discrepancies for system improvement
The citation and source system in Aethera ensures that every AI interaction is backed by verifiable evidence, transforming your knowledge base into a reliable, accountable research platform that meets the highest standards of accuracy and transparency.