What is Osmosis AI?

Osmosis AI – Frequently Asked Questions

Osmosis AI is our conversational study assistant that combines trusted Elsevier medical content with the Osmosis videos you already love. It helps you learn faster and study with confidence, using evidence-based answers with inline textbook citations alongside Osmosis video resources.

How do I access Osmosis AI?

Osmosis AI is available to eligible MD, DO, PA, LPN, NP and Health Professional (OH) learners on both individual and institutional accounts, and RN for individual accounts only.

On web, open it from the Osmosis navigation menu; it will open next to a video or in a new tab. On mobile, open it from the homepage or the Learn page in the Osmosis iOS or Android app.

If you don’t see Osmosis AI on your account, reach out to the Osmosis Customer Support team and they’ll help get it enabled.

How is Osmosis AI different from ChatGPT or other AI tools?

Osmosis AI is built around the learning experience medical students already love: our visual, expert-led videos. While other AI tools pull from the open web, Osmosis AI draws from trusted Elsevier Medical Education content and connects directly to Osmosis videos that make complex topics click.

You don’t just get an answer, you get a visual explanation that helps you truly understand and remember it. Osmosis AI combines evidence-based accuracy with Osmosis’s signature visual learning, so you can study smarter, faster, and with more confidence.

Where does Osmosis AI’s information come from?

All answers are sourced from Elsevier’s trusted library of medical textbooks and resources. Each response includes inline citation markers next to the claims they support, so you can jump with a single click to the exact sourced textbook excerpt — no need to leave Osmosis AI to verify an answer.

How can we trust that AI technology will consistently provide accurate results?

• With each new release, Osmosis AI is subject to a rigorous evaluation process conducted by our data science team using a controlled “Gold Set” of questions to test the content. Responses are tested across four accuracy-based dimensions and all responses are reviewed by an independent panel of SMEs. The accuracy scores must be maintained or exceed our responsible AI standards in order to be released for use by students and instructors.
• Second, Osmosis AI does not search the internet for responses; rather, it only searches trusted Elsevier content in what can be described as a “walled garden.” This greatly reduces the risk of hallucinations common to other large language model chat applications (like ChatGPT). Citations to the textbook — where available — are given and can be reviewed by users.
• Additionally, students and instructors can easily provide feedback on any response by using the “thumbs up/thumbs down” feedback buttons. All “thumbs down” answers are reviewed by our teams on a regular basis.

Responsible AI Practices

Osmosis AI is built according to Elsevier’s “Responsible AI Principles,” which include:

• Considering real-world impact
• Mitigating bias
• Explainability of how the solution works
• Human oversight / accountability
• Respecting privacy, strong data governance

What are the key features and use cases?

• Multimodal learning: Watch Osmosis videos related to your text chat topic, or start an AI conversation directly from a paused video using a suggested prompt like “Explain this simply” or “Quiz me with board-style questions”
• Create flashcards and questions: Generate reusable flashcards in cloze, standard front/back, or fill-in-the-blank formats, and copy them straight into study tools like Anki
• Evidence-based, verifiable content: Inline and textbook citations link every answer back to its source
• Interactive chat dialog: Clarify difficult concepts to deepen your learning, with tailored answers
• Tutor Mode: Work through a topic step-by-step with a Socratic-style guided conversation instead of getting the answer right away

Can I ask follow-up questions?

Yes. The chat is interactive, allowing you to ask follow-up questions or explore a topic in more depth. Osmosis AI adapts to your needs to make learning more personal and effective.

Top prompting tips

• Make sure the question is related to content you would find in medical textbooks.
• Ask one or two questions at a time.
• Be specific. For example, use specific terms for procedures and assessments, such as “supine anteroposterior projection” instead of “abdominal film,” which could refer to many types of radiograph projections involving the abdomen.

Example Prompts

• Explain the differences between the clinical features of an upper versus lower motor neuron lesion of the facial nerve based on the anatomy.
• Explain the difference between baroreceptors and chemoreceptors.
• Explain how imprinting causes Prader-Willi versus Angelman syndrome.
• Explain the stepwise management of postpartum hemorrhage.
• Summarize the long term complications of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
• Summarize the management of hyperkalemia.
• Create a flashcard on the muscles of the hand that are innervated by the median nerve.
• Create a flashcard on which protein is inactivated by the diphtheria toxin.
• Create a flashcard on STEMI management based on timing of symptom onset and availability of PCI.
• Use Tutor Mode to walk me through the diagnostic approach to a patient with acute chest pain.

Can it create flashcards or quiz questions?

Yes. You can ask Osmosis AI to generate flashcards and quiz-style questions directly in the chat. Flashcards can be created in cloze, standard front/back, or fill-in-the-blank format, and are easy to copy and paste into study tools like Anki.

Will it include videos?

Yes. Osmosis AI includes all Osmosis videos, giving you visual explanations connected to your study topics. It also works the other way: pause any video and Osmosis AI will surface context-aware prompts so you can start a conversation grounded in what you’re watching, without leaving the lesson.

Will it include images or diagrams?

Yes. Images and diagrams are currently included, and linked to trusted Elsevier sources.

Will it reference regional guidelines, like NICE (UK)?

Osmosis AI focuses on Medical North American (NOAM) content to support learners preparing for exams including USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 (MD), COMLEX-USA (DO), and PANCE (PA). The medical chat currently does not include regional guidelines such as NICE for the UK. The Nursing Osmosis AI chat use region-specific Elsevier nursing libraries across NOAM, UK/IRE, and ANZ.

Is it available in Spanish?

Osmosis AI includes Spanish translation capabilities, so Spanish-speaking learners can access the same high-quality, trusted information, promoting greater inclusivity and accessibility for all users.

Who is Osmosis AI for?

Osmosis AI is designed for MD, DO, PA, LPN, RN, NP, and Health Professional learners and clinicians who need fast, reliable answers and visual learning support to master complex topics efficiently.

What is Tutor Mode?

Tutor Mode guides you through a concept using a Socratic approach instead of immediately giving you the answer. It asks questions, identifies gaps in your understanding, reinforces key concepts with trusted Elsevier content, and helps you work toward the correct reasoning step by step. Use Tutor Mode to prepare for exams, strengthen difficult concepts, or build understanding from the ground up — all within the same AI conversation.

In summary

Osmosis AI brings together trusted Elsevier content, Osmosis videos, and conversational AI — including inline citations and Tutor Mode’s guided reasoning — to make studying smarter, faster, and more reliable for MD, DO, PA, and Health Professional learners, all grounded in verified medical knowledge.

Does Osmosis AI remember my previous queries?

Osmosis AI’s responses are based on the chat history of up to five previous interactions from that specific learner.

If I don’t want Osmosis AI can it be removed from my account?

Please reach out to customer support and we’ll work to understand your concerns.

How is customer data protected when using Osmosis AI?

Osmosis AI operates under the same protective measures as the broader Osmosis product suite, ensuring the continuation of the security protocols valued by Osmosis customers and users.

What steps are taken to ensure compliance with privacy regulations?

Elsevier is committed to maintaining your confidence and trust with respect to your privacy. Respecting and protecting user data and privacy are key priorities at Elsevier, as maintaining the trust of the people who use our products and services is critically important to us. We are committed to being transparent about the data we use, how it is used, how it is stored, for how long, and why. You can view our privacy policy online for more information.

Can it help me plan a class session or activity?

Yes, for institutional customers, there is a specific instructor role setting for all faculty members in an Osmosis cohort. The chat will respond with additional context for teaching (as opposed to learning), i.e. “teaching tips,” ideas for active learning strategies, highlighting common student misconceptions, or teachable moments.

Are there any data and analytics tracking?

All video views will be counted in performance analytics on Osmosis.org.

Does this work in the Osmosis app (iOS and Android)?

Yes. Osmosis AI is available in the Osmosis iOS and Android app, from both the homepage and the Learn page, giving you the same conversational AI experience available on the web — wherever you study. It’s available to eligible MD, DO, OH, and PA learners on individual and institutional accounts.

Is Osmosis AI a medical device or clinical decision support tool?

Osmosis AI is designed to support teaching and learning. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please refrain from sharing personal, sensitive, or protected information when using AI-powered features.

How is Osmosis AI meeting the latest accessibility guidelines?

Please check out the latest accessibility statements and/or ACR for Osmosis and Sherpath AI.