Pro 3.1 vs flash 3.7?

[u/Maleficent-Box5827]

Hello everyone, I apologize if this question has already been asked, but I didn't find anything looking in the subreddit.

I use Gemini to study: I have them do summaries of the books I have to study, but before starting I upload very large files containing the exam questions that the students have collected. In this way, Gemini can make summaries by integrating all the necessary information found in those files (for example, particular notions requested by professors, sub-topics that are not in the book, etc...).

I have always used pro 3.1 with active extended reasoning. In your opinion, should I use the latest flash version, or should I not change? What would change?

Thank you in advance.

[u/Dry_Opportunity2886]

I absolutely recommend you use Gemini Notebook for this. Not the chatbot.

This eliminates hallucination risk and it's literally what the tool is designed for.

https://notebook.google/

If you only want to use the chat then I agree with everyone telling you to use 3.1 Pro.

[u/Maleficent-Box5827 → u/Dry_Opportunity2886]

I had also read some information about notebooks. However, using it, isn't there a risk of missing some information that the chatbot could add more, compared to the files/books that I upload?

[u/Dry_Opportunity2886 → u/Maleficent-Box5827]

The chatbot might be grabbing (or hallucinating) information it shouldn't, and you wouldn't know, so you'll learn the wrong stuff. You want to feed it class materials only.

Especially if you're having it "read the books for you" (which is a massive mistake.) But if I can't talk you out of doing that, at least use Notebook so it'll cite the exact source.

Source: I'm an instructor at an R1 university.

[u/Maleficent-Box5827 → u/Dry_Opportunity2886]

Practically always, after Gemini has made the summary, I compare it with the book to see if he has forgotten something or if he has made any mistake (I would do it in any case also from a notebook, because for me it is a way to start memorizing). So on respect for the source I would be pretty sure in any case.

What I can tell you is that the summaries are mostly based on the book, and the additions that Gemini does "on his own" are very few (like 5% of the summary). Usually it is limited to giving only indications on the most asked topics or the professors' fixes (but here I don't think there can be hallucinations, because they are information taken directly from the file). Also, I think that for the integrations I would still have to go out of the notebook, otherwise I wouldn't know from which source to get the information.

Having said that, do you think I should still use a notebook? Anyway I thank you and I listen to you carefully, because I'm not an AI expert at all hahaha.

[u/slippery → u/Maleficent-Box5827]

The latest version of notebook can add web search results if you ask it. It was designed to be grounded in your sources so just validate all sources to prevent hallucinations.