Mind maps are visual tools that reflect how our minds naturally work. They organize information by clustering related ideas around a central concept, branching outward in a way that mirrors how we connect thoughts. In research, especially, some forms of data just don’t work well as linear text.
As I argued in my book on AI in academic research (to be published soon), certain knowledge structures are better expressed visually. Mind maps, and by extension, concept maps, diagrams, and similar tools, offer an effective way to do this. What they all share is the visual linking of ideas around a main node, allowing patterns and relationships to surface.
This kind of structure isn’t just helpful, I believe it’s essential when it comes to active learning. When I spoke about building a strong note-taking system to support your research, I emphasized the importance of creating a thinking system, a network of ideas that are connected and dynamic.
Interlinked notes help themes emerge, relate older insights to new ones, and give you a visual overview of your knowledge. It’s not just about storing notes, but about shaping them into something you can actually work with.
There’s also solid research backing this up. Boch and Piolat (2005) argue that non-linear note-taking encourages more active interaction with content, which is far more beneficial than simply copying things down.
Makany et al. (2009) go further, showing that students using non-linear methods understand and retain information better. They found that these learners were able to integrate knowledge more effectively and hold on to it longer, likely because the structure itself promotes deeper thinking.
AI Mind Mapping Tools for Teachers and Researchers
So in this post, I want to share with you a curated list of AI-powered mind mapping tools that can help you visualize ideas and research data in a more meaningful, connected way.
1. ChatGPT New Image Generator
ChatGPT recently rolled out a new image generator, and I have to say, it’s surprisingly good. It creates clean, visually appealing graphics from simple prompts, and one of the most noticeable improvements is how well it handles text. Unlike earlier models that often butchered labels or titles, this one gets the text mostly right, which makes it much more useful for things like mind maps.
I’ve been experimenting with it to create mind maps, and while it’s not perfect, it does a decent job especially for smaller, simpler maps. Just keep in mind the size limitation. ChatGPT struggles with generating large or complex mind maps due to space constraints.
To work around this, you can either simplify your prompt or upload an example image of a mind map you like. I often find one through a quick Google Image search, then ask ChatGPT 4o to recreate a similar structure. It won’t replicate it exactly, but the result is often surprisingly close and visually sharp.
2. NotebookLM
NotebookLM by Google has introduced a new mind map feature that lets you turn your uploaded sources into branching visual summaries. It automatically identifies key topics and related subtopics, displaying them as an interactive diagram. You can zoom in and out, scroll through different sections, and focus on the areas you care about most.
One of the standout features is the ability to expand or collapse branches. This helps you switch between a high-level overview and more detailed breakdowns of your material. You can also click on any node in the map to ask follow-up questions in the chat, making it easier to explore specific ideas without leaving the visual structure.
NotebookLM also offers some useful controls in the top right corner of the interface, like toggling the view, downloading your map, or exiting the panel. If you want to share your work, you can either share the full notebook or generate a mind map and let someone else access it through the Studio panel.
3. Napkin
Napkin is another solid, free AI-powered tool that makes it easy to turn your text into clean, visually appealing graphics, including mind maps. Unlike some platforms, it doesn’t let you control the layout or design specifics, but that’s part of its appeal. Napkin handles the design automatically and gives you several visual options to choose from. You can’t tweak the structure much, but you can edit the text inside your visuals freely, which gives you some flexibility.
Once your visual is ready, you can share it in different formats depending on what you need. Getting started is simple: just create a free account, type or paste your content, and let Napkin do the rest. If you want to craft a stronger prompt, you can always use ChatGPT to help refine it before pasting it into Napkin. The tool is lightweight, intuitive, and very practical for quick visualizations.
4. FigJam
FigJam, Figma’s mind mapping tool, is a powerful and flexible option for creating all sorts of visuals. It offers a lot of freedom in design, but it does come with a bit of a learning curve. If you’re not familiar with design tools, expect to spend some time figuring things out. That said, there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube that can walk you through the basics, and once you get the hang of it, the possibilities open up fast.
What makes FigJam interesting for mind mapping is its built-in AI support. It can help you group related ideas, generate summaries, and even suggest action points, useful features when you’re sorting through large amounts of information.
You can also annotate your maps, customize them with colors and images, and export everything as a PDF or image for easy use in papers or presentations. If you’re looking for control and flexibility, and don’t mind the initial learning phase, FigJam is a great choice.
5. Mind maps-focused tools
In addition to the tools I mentioned earlier, there’s a whole group of platforms designed specifically for mind mapping and diagram creation. These are more focused and feature-rich, offering everything from quick idea capture to more structured, professional visualizations. Many now include AI features that help with brainstorming, automatic organization, and even suggesting connections between concepts you may not have considered.
If you’re serious about using mind maps as part of your learning, research, or planning workflow, these tools are worth exploring. They tend to offer better control, cleaner outputs, and smoother collaboration.
Most of them have free versions, so you can try them out before committing. Some solid options in this category include MindMeister, LucidSpark, Mindomo, Mindup, Miro, Coggle, and Traverse. Each has its own strengths, depending on what you need, whether it’s real-time collaboration, easy sharing, or advanced customization.
Final thoughts
In this post, I shared a selection of practical AI-powered tools that can help you visualize information through mind maps. As I’ve argued before, not every type of data is suited for linear, textual formats. Some ideas are simply better understood when mapped visually, through clusters, links, and hierarchies that bring structure to complexity. Mind maps offer a way to make those structures visible and usable. They’re not just note-taking tools; they’re thinking tools.
All of these platforms fit into the broader note-taking system I’ve discussed in previous posts, one that helps you shift from passive accumulation to active knowledge building. For researchers, having a system like this changes everything. It helps you connect ideas across time, track your intellectual progress, and shape your insights into something coherent and usable.
As for me, I’m in the final stages of finishing my book on AI in academic research. It brings together what I’ve learned and tested so far, practical tools, thoughtful strategies, and a hands-on approach to making AI work for your academic life. It’s almost ready, and I’m excited to share it with you soon.
References
Boch, F., & Piolat, A. (2005). Note Taking and Learning : A Summary of Research.
Makany, T., Kemp, J., & Dror, I. E. (2009). Optimising the use of note-taking as an external cognitive aid for increasing learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(4), 619–635. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00906.x
