Intelligent Libraries: Perception and Proficiency in Artificial Intelligence among Knowledge Custodians

Abstract

This research study explored the understanding and views on artificial intelligence (AI) for library specialists in India by gathering responses from a total of 148 randomly chosen respondents. The findings indicate that while these professionals generally have an optimistic attitude towards AI, they also express concerns about AI potentially replacing librarians and the related difficulties for adopting AI tools for various library-related services. The article recommends that awareness about AI can be measured through two newly extracted variables ‘AI in Core Library Functions’, and ‘AI in Library Applications’. Further, to measure the perception of AI among LIS Professionals, again two newly extracted factors can be used namely ‘Challenges in Adoption of AI in Library’, and ‘Impact of AI on Library Personnel’. This study delivers a valuable insight for library fraternity decision makers in designing strategies for AI implementation in academic libraries, and addresses a gap in research related to the AI usage in organizational libraries in developing nations like India.