In this article, we will present an AI mind map generator — InfraNodus — that can create a knowledge graph from any text. Unlike other tools, it doesn’t start from a central idea, because that’s not how our mind works. Rather, it maps out all the ideas present within a text as a network graph, so the resulting mind map will be more rhizomatic, helping you see the patterns rather than presenting hierarchies (which often do not even exist).

The advantage of this approach is that when we build a mind map as a network, we can use graph science to identify the most influential concepts and groups of ideas that belong together. This adds a layer of structured information on top of the text, helping you see the main topics and gaps between them. Based on this representation, you can reveal the main ideas but also identify what’s missing and how you can develop the ideas further. For example, by bridging the gaps between the topics or going beyond the periphery of the graph using “conceptual gateways”.

The video above demonstrates how to build a mind map using AI with InfraNodus (1:30) or ChatGPT (14:00). Here’s a full description of the workflow below. We use a built-in AI chatbot to demonstrate how it works, but it can be used with any text, imported data (e.g. Google / Scholar search results, CSV spreadsheets, PDF documents, Obsidian, etc)

Creating a Mind Map using AI Chatbot

InfraNodus is a tool designed to visualize text as a network graph, making it perfect for knowledge mapping. When combined with AI chatbots like ChatGPT, it becomes a powerful AI mind map generator.

Step 1: Pose a Question

Begin by asking a question on a topic of interest. For our case study, we’ll use:

“What is ecological thinking?”

Step 2: Generate AI Responses

Using InfraNodus’s integrated AI chatbot or an extension with ChatGPT, input your question. The AI will provide a response, which InfraNodus will then visualize as a graph.

Step 3: Visualize the Knowledge Graph

InfraNodus converts the AI’s text into a network graph:

• Nodes represent key concepts.
• Edges (connections) show how these concepts relate based on their co-occurrence in the text.

Step 4: Analyze Main Concepts and Clusters

The knowledge graph highlights:

• Main Topics: Central ideas within the discourse.
• Clusters: Groups of related concepts forming subtopics.
• High-Influence Nodes: Concepts that bridge different clusters.

Step 5: Interact and Expand

You can interact with the graph to:

• Elaborate on Concepts: Select nodes and ask the AI to delve deeper.
• Identify Blind Spots: Use the Blind Spots feature to find underexplored areas.
• Optimize Discourse: Adjust the Topical Diversity to balance focus and breadth.

Diversifying the Mind Map using AI and Network Analysis

The next step is to develop the mind map further. We want the mind map to be diversified so it covers a wide range of topics but also connected because we want the resulting ideas to be coherent. InfraNodus helps us do that by providing direct visual feedback on the text’s structure.

To explore further, we ask:

“Why are relationships important in ecological thinking?”

The AI expands on the significance of relationships, and the graph grows, revealing new connections and clusters.

Using Blind Spots to Uncover New Insights

InfraNodus identifies conceptual gateways—influential but underconnected nodes like disturbances and recovery. These nodes have high betweeness centrality in the graph (connecting different topical clusters), but not so many connections. Focusing on these helps us generate the questions that would develop this discourse further by connecting it to other concepts that have not been mentioned yet.

For instance, we can ask:

“How can ecological adaptation strategies enhance recovery from disturbances?”

This prompts the AI to discuss concepts like resilience and adaptation, enriching our knowledge map.

Balancing Focus and Diversity

The Topical Diversity metric indicates if our discourse is too narrow or scattered. InfraNodus provides recommendations to optimize the diversity, ensuring our exploration is both comprehensive and cohesive.

One of the most fascinating aspects is seeing how AI “thinks.” As the AI responds, the knowledge graph updates in real-time, providing a visual representation of its reasoning pathways.

You can actually witness it live in ChatGPT as well if you use the InfraNodus browser extension:

Comparing Mind Maps to Find What’s Missing

InfraNodus allows you to compare different discourses. By juxtaposing our chat with the AI against synthetically generated data on ecological thinking, we can:

• Identify Missing Concepts: Find areas not covered in our initial discussion.
• Incorporate New Ideas: Expand our map by integrating these concepts.
• Enhance Originality: See how our unique perspective differs from general AI-generated content.

In order to do that, you can use another app in InfraNodus that generates a number of statements on the topic you choose. Then you use the graph comparison feature to compare one graph to the other and see what exists in one (e.g. synthetic data) that doesn’t exist in the other (e.g. our AI chat) — this helps you see what other topics you could cover. Here’s demo of that specific workflow:

Benefits of Using an AI Mind Map Generator

• Enhanced Understanding: Visualize complex ideas and their interrelations.
• Improved Research: Identify gaps and areas for further exploration.
• Bias Reduction: The tool suggests diversifying focus to avoid echo chambers.
• Creative Inspiration: Discover new connections and insights.

How to Try It Yourself

Interested in experiencing the AI mind map generator? Follow these steps:

1. Access InfraNodus: Visit InfraNodus.com and sign up.
2. Integrate with AI Chatbots: Use the built-in AI chatbot or connect with ChatGPT using the InfraNodus extension.
3. Start Mapping: Input your questions and begin visualizing your knowledge graphs.
4. Explore and Interact: Use the features to analyze, expand, and optimize your mind maps.

Conclusion

The fusion of AI chatbots with mind mapping tools like InfraNodus represents a significant leap in how we organize and understand information. By generating dynamic, interactive knowledge maps, we can enhance our research, uncover hidden insights, and even gain a window into the AI’s thought process.

Whether you’re tackling complex topics or seeking to boost creativity, the AI mind map generator offers a powerful platform to elevate your intellectual pursuits.