FAQ: What is Phil, the AI tool in IBISWorld, and how do I use it?

What is Phil?

Phil is a built in AI research assistant inside IBISWorld. It works like a conversational helper that lets you ask questions about industries and quickly find the information you need. Unlike large-language models like ChatGPT or CoPilot that draw from a large pool of training data, Phil uses only IBISWorld’s analyst written reports. Phil is best used as a research aid to help you locate facts, summarize sections of reports, or reframe information in clearer formats. It is not meant to replace your own analysis or write assignments for you. 

Note: Phil has a built-in limit of 1,000 questions per month for the library’s subscription.

How do I use Phil?

Phil appears automatically on the right-hand side of any IBISWorld industry report. Look for the icon with three stars under the download button, as shown in the following screenshots:

To start, choose an industry report and type a question into the chat window. Phil will provide a short answer along with links to the exact sections of the report where the information comes from.

For example, you could ask Phil to:

• Find specific facts or figures
• Summarize parts of a report
• Compare industries
• Explain trends or risks
• Organize information into outlines or bullet points

Note: Phil’s responses are capped at a reasonable length to keep you in control of your work. It is intended to help you understand and navigate the reports more easily, not write your assignment for you.

How do I cite Phil?

Because Phil pulls data directly from IBISWorld reports, IBISWorld’s recommendation is that you cite the report itself (see our Citing Business & Legal Sources guide for examples). In its responses, Phil will provide links back to the original section of the industry report, and it is our recommendation that you refer to the industry report itself for your research and citation instead of using the language provided by Phil.

Please note that SNHU AI usage policies require you to acknowledge your usage of AI tools in your work. For guidelines and examples, see the following FAQ: How do I cite an AI tool used in a database?

Please check with your instructor for their guidance and preference regarding the usage and citation of this tool in your work.

More Information

• Phil FAQs This link opens in a new window: from IBISWorld, get answers to frequently asked questions about Phil, IBISWorld's generative AI research tool
• Phil FAQs for Academics This link opens in a new window: from IBISWorld, learn how Phil, IBISWorld's generative AI research tool, can help you leverage verified research with the speed of AI
• Citation and Artificial Intelligence page on the Citing Your Sources guide