Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Transformative Force, Redefining the Landscape of Modern Libraries

Robbins, Nicholas

Mondal, D. (2025). Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Transformative Force, Redefining the Landscape of Modern Libraries. INQEST-Peer-reviewed Multidisciplinary Online Research journal, 3(1), 15-23.

 

The article explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming modern libraries by reshaping their operations, services, and user experiences. As libraries evolve alongside technological advances, AI has become a powerful tool for improving efficiency, accessibility, and personalization of information services. Important AI applications include cataloging, indexing, information retrieval, document matching, citation mapping, summarization, robotic process automation, and chat bot based user support. These technologies enable faster handling of large datasets, more accurate discovery of resources, and round the clock service availability. The article also discusses talks about how AI enhances service quality and operational efficiency by automating repetitive tasks, reducing human error, supporting data-driven decision-making, while freeing librarians to focus on complex research support and community engagement. Tools such as machine learning, natural language processing, speech recognition, and expert systems are central to digital and virtual library systems. The concept of the Smart Library illustrates AI’s future role, featuring self service facilities, remote management, and personalized user access through intelligent devices.

 

I like this article because it acknowledges the challenges, including high costs, the need for specialized expertise, potential job displacement, skills shortages, data bias, and AI’s limited ability to generalize across tasks. Being realistic about the current limitations of exciting new technology is important. The article also highlights the importance of data and AI literacy, positioning librarians as educators in responsible technology use. The article concludes that AI is not replacing libraries or librarians but redefining their roles, allowing them to become leaders in information innovation. With ethical adoption and proactive skill development, AI offers a huge potential to enhance access to knowledge, improve service delivery, and build more inclusive and responsive libraries for the future.