The Use of AI in Academic Libraries
Stacy M. Scott, Lucinda Ward · Advances in computational intelligence and robotics book series · 2025
This chapter discusses how artificial intelligence (AI), and in particular generative AI, is transforming academic libraries. Since the emergence of ChatGPT, there has been debate in libraries about its usefulness for library operations. In this chapter, the authors highlight AI's potential for improving information retrieval through AI-driven discovery services, which allow for a more conversational approach to research. It also explores AI's ability to automate tasks in areas such as cataloging and collection development, as well as its enhancement of reference services through AI-driven chatbots. The authors also address ethical considerations, such as hallucinations, bias, privacy, copyright issues, and librarians' lack of AI training that could help alleviate these risks. The chapter concludes by suggesting there are promising benefits to the ethical use of AI in libraries.