World Digital Libraries 15(2): 151–166 (2022)

DOI: 10.18329/09757597/2022/15210

Artificial Intelligence and the Future Libraries

V. K. Verma
Assistant Librarian, Indian Institute of Technology
Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 110016
(E): vkverma@library.iitd.ac.in

S. Gupta
PhD Scholar, University of Delhi, Delhi – 110007
(E): saumyagupta831@gmail.com

Abstract
The artificial intelligence (AI) offers a number of benefits including but not limited to scalability,
accuracy, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making. This has positively impacted several
industries and service sectors. Given the complex nature of operation in library services, there is
a significant scope for the application of AI services in the library operations. In this context, this
article examines the applications and potential impact of AI on the libraries, services, and library
professionals. The article first defines the scope of AI, followed by a review of contemporary policies
and initiatives related to AI at the international and national levels. The potential for applicability
of the AI in the library operations has been analysed through a SWOT analysis for understanding
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with AI applications in the libraries.
The article also discusses the significance of making library professionals aware of issues and
challenges related to AI. The data for the article has been sourced through systematic review of the
published literature. The results revealed that emerging AI technology has considerable potential for
integration with a library’s operations and can improve its services and functions. However, there
are several unexplored areas. The article gives insights that can be utilized to educate the library
professionals about leveraging and integrating AI technology in the library landscape to provide
adequate services to its patrons.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence (AI), Intelligent library, Smart library, Future library,
Automated system, Human–Machine interaction, Chatbots in libraries
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Introduction
Rapid development and transformation are
occurring in various fields, attributed to the
continuous advancement in science and
technology. Over the time, different technologies
have made an impact on various domains
of human civilization. Artificial intelligence
(AI) is an emerging cutting-edge technology.
The application of AI is already visible by the
availability of different AI-enabled products and
services, such as Google applications, Siri, Alexa.
They assist and respond to their customers by
recognizing their voice (Herron 2017). However,
there are many issues and challenges associated
with AI. Brossard (2018) in her book Artificial
Unintelligence: how computers misunderstand the
world has discussed the inner working and outer
limitations of technologies and warned about the
approach of computers to do the things right.
She has voiced against ‘techno-chauvinism’.
Libraries are exploring ways to adapt AI
for multiple purposes. AI has already made its
presence in search and discovery, and work
related to text and data mining. Studies show
that AI implementation in the library makes
the libraries technologically innovative and
improves many services. Intelligent Libraries’
concept is gradually emerging, and AI will have a
responsible role to play soon. Fernandez (2016)
pointed out that AI will make an effect on almost
all technologies used by the libraries.
Literature Review
Scope of AI is multi-disciplinary, and the
literature of AI spreads through various
disciplines such as computer science,
mathematics, engineering, decision science,
management science, and social sciences. A brief
thematic literature review is discussed as below:
Definition and scope of
artificial intelligence
The concept of AI is not new. McCarthy
coined the term ‘Artificial Intelligence’ in
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Verma and Gupta
1955, and according to him, AI is to make
machines that can use their intellect as humans
do (Rajaraman 2014). To further extend, AI
creates computer functions that reason, analyse,
learn, and solve problems like human beings.
(Gupta and Dhawan 2018). AI is not a single
entity. The AI encompasses big data, natural
language processing (NLP), machine learning,
deep learning, data visualization, and decision
logic (Smith 2016). AI mainly relies on pattern
recognition, knowledge representation, and
reasoning. Simon (1991) referring to the genesis
of AI mentioned that AI was born in close
connection with management but is expanding
beyond it and is forming links with the other
subjects. The goal of AI is to implement human
intelligence in a machine and create an expert
system. Perez, et al. 2016. pointed out that AI
now has capabilities of both operational and
social intelligence. With more dependency on
the AI system soon, the AI market will grow by
3 trillion by 2024. They also said that AI is set to
transform our society, life, living environment,
and economy. Shabbir and Answer (2015)
discussing the role of AI, said that the ability
of AI to perform even the narrower tasks with
accuracy would improve as the dependency of
human beings increases on a machine.
Artificial intelligence policies in national
and international context
The policy for AI is required to harness its
potential for social good and therefore it is
emerging as a central policy issue in several
countries. The fundamental concerns for
policy makers are the rapid change in the AI’s
technology, absence of regulations, ethical issues,
and economic impact. Many challenges, such as
openness of algorithms, accountability, oversight,
prejudice, and privacy must be addressed before
a strategy for AI can be implemented. The
ensuing section gives a brief overview of the
ongoing national and international initiatives to
design the strategies and formulate the
AI policies.
Artificial Intelligence and the Future Libraries 153

International initiatives regulation with a risk-based approach (European

Commission 2022).
The United Nations is leading the efforts to
In 2018, during the G7 Summit in Charlevoix,
define and implement a common principle for
Canada; G7 leaders agreed on a unified vision for
the use and development of AI. In the November
the future of AI. The vision is composed of many
2021, all 193 member states of UN Educational,
pledges made by G7 leaders, including
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
(a) promoting human-centric AI and advancing
adopted an agreement that defines the common
suitable technical, ethical, and technologically
values and principles needed to ensure the
neutral methods; (b) stimulating investment in
healthy development of AI (United Nations
AI research and development that builds public
2020; 2021).
confidence; (c) supporting lifelong learning,
The European Union’s approach to AI
education, training, and reskilling; (d) promoting
is based on quality and trust to increase
active labour market policies, workforce
research and industrial capacity and protect
development, and reskilling programmes; and
fundamental rights. After publishing a white
(e) enabling multi-stakeholder conversation
paper on AI in 2020 and 2021, the European
(Digwatch 2018).
Commission released an AI package in the
month of April 2021, including new laws and
Artificial Intelligence Policy
initiatives to transform Europe into a worldwide
centre for reliable AI. The package included Initiatives of Some Countries
a communication on fostering a European The AI policy initiatives of some of the selected
approach to AI, a coordinated plan with the countries have been summarized in Table 1.
Member States, and a proposal for an AI

Table 1 AI policy initiatives of some selected countries

Country Policy initiatives
Australia The Australian Government is strengthening Australia’s capabilities through the $124.1
million Artificial Intelligence Action Plan to position Australia as a global leader in AI
technology. The Plan, released in June 2021, sets out the government’s mandates to
develop Australia’s AI capability to grow the economy, support industry competitiveness,
create jobs, and improve lives (Australian Government 2022).
Canada Canada’s AI strategy is primarily a research and talent strategy. Its initiatives are
geared towards enhancing Canada’s international profile as a leader in AI research and
training (India AI n.d.)
China China follows a multi-faceted approach towards AI policy initiatives. The three approaches
are: i. Cyberspace Administration of China focuses on rules for online algorithms with
a focus on public opinion. ii. China Academy of Information and Communications
Technology focuses on tools for testing and certification of “trustworthy AI” systems.
iii. Ministry of Science and Technology focuses on establishing AI ethics principles and
creating tech ethics review boards within companies and research institutions (Sheehan
2022).
Germany In 2018, Germany introduced a national AI strategy to foster growth and
competitiveness. The country has adopted a human-centred approach to AI, inclusive,
evidence-based, and capacity-building (Federal Government 2022).

Contd...

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154 Verma and Gupta

Table 1 Contd...
Country Policy initiatives
Japan Japan aims to stay a prominent player in the high-tech sector with AI as one of its vital
components. Japan wants to utilize AI in its policies to address societal issues through its
envisioned society of the future named Society 5.0 (Dirksen and Takahashi 2020).
Russia Russia came up with a new approach policy for AI in 2019. It increased the budget
allocation from USD1.3 billion to USD6.7 billion. The Russia AI policy document sets out
some broad principles and Russia’s ambition to become one of the global leaders in AI
(Nocetti 2020).
Singapore The vision statement of the national AI strategy document, released by the Singapore
Government, says that by 2030, Singapore will be a leader in developing and deploying
scalable, impactful AI solutions in the key sectors of high value and relevance to their
citizens and businesses (Smart Nation Singapore n.d.)
United The new national AI strategy released by the UK Government in September 2021
Kingdom builds on the UK’s strengths. It represents the start of a step change for AI in the UK,
recognizing the power of AI to increase resilience, productivity, growth, and innovation
across the private and public sectors (HM Government 2021).
USA The United States of America has issued two executive orders to establish the American
AI Initiative and promote the use of reliable AI in the federal administration. Federal
committees, working groups, and other entities have been established to coordinate
operations, assist in setting objectives, and generate national strategic plans and reports. It
also includes an updated national AI research and development strategic plan and a plan
for federal engagement in the development of technical standards and related tools in AI
(Harris 2021).

Apart from the countries listed in Table 1,
there are countries that have taken initiatives for
AI policy formulation. Some European countries
like France, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, and Poland
have strategy documents for harnessing the
power of AI. Brazil, Uruguay, and Mexico have
their strategy documents in South American
countries. In African countries, Tunisia, and
Kenya have created a task force for AI.
Artificial Intelligence Policy
Initiatives in India
India’s national AI policy is unique because it
focuses on ways of utilizing AI for economic
growth and social inclusion. This strategy is
named #AIforAll by the NITI Aayog. As a result,
the plan intends to: (i) improve and empower
Indians with the skills they need to find suitable
employment; (ii) invest in research and sectors
that may boost economic development and social
impact, and (iii) scale Indian-made AI solutions
to the rest of the developing world. On 4 June
2018, the NITI Aayog released India’s AI
strategy plan, demonstrating how AI can be
effectively applied to five key areas in India:
i. health care, ii. Agriculture, iii. Education,
iv. smart cities, and v. infrastructure (smart
mobility and transportation), to benefit citizens.
To promote AI, Internet of Things (IoT),
big data, cybersecurity, machine learning,
and robotics, the Government of India had
boosted the budget for Digital India to $477
million in 2020. The Ministry of Electronics
and Information Technology’s (MeitY) policy
efforts and The National Association of
Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM)
and the Defence Research and Development
Organization’s (DRDO) AI programmes have

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Artificial Intelligence and the Future Libraries
built the foundation for future developments
and provided a road map for AI in India. The
National Council of Educational Research and
Training (NCERT) is working on a new National
Curriculum Framework for School Education
to implement an AI fundamentals course at the
secondary level (Shanthi 2021).
A strategy paper entitled ‘Responsible AI’
for India under the #AIforAll was issued by
NITI Aayog in February 2021. The document
presents a set of principles for the appropriate
administration of AI systems by all stakeholders,
including researchers, commercial companies
and the government, standard-setting agencies,
and regulators (NITI Aayog 2021).
According to current estimates, AI has the
potential to boost India’s GDP by 15% worth
$957 billion of its present gross value added by
2035. According to projections, the AI software
industry is expected to grow from USD10.1
billion in 2018 to USD126 billion by 2025 (NITI
Aayog 2021).
The Union Budget 2022 acknowledged the
need for sustainable development. To make
growth more inclusive, the government has
emphasized utilization of technologies in which
AI tops the list. The government’s long-term
strategy to modernize India includes encouraging
“digital economy and fintech, technology-
enabled development, energy transition, and
climate action” (Siva Gopal 2022).
Applications of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has been continuously
incentivizing various domains of human life.
The AI is being used in medical diagnosis,
speech recognition, automatic cars, marketing
advice, virtual assistance, and writing (Arlitsch
and Newell 2017). It is already changing the
way human beings live, communicate, and
perform different tasks. The auto-drive car
concept is evolving in the transportation sector,
and gradually other segments of vehicles are
also developing on the same platform. There
is more significant role of AI in on-demand
World Digital Libraries 15(2): 151–166
155
transportation and its planning. AI is also playing
a significant role in the health sector. The surgical
robots, robots supporting hospital operations,
and personal monitoring devices are using
the concept of AI to upgrade and modernize
their services (Grosz 2016). AI provides more
personalized guidance in the education sector in
interactive machine tutors and other allied tools.
AI is also helping communities and society to
solve many societal problems. AI is also being
used for public safety and security. Devices like
drones, improved cameras, and surveillance
devices are being used to prevent fraud and crime
and enhance safety and security. There are many
other applications of AI in different domains.
The concept of smart cities, smart home, IoT,
and data analytics all are associated with AI. For
enterprise-level AI solutions, Watson is IBM’s
suite of enterprise-ready AI services, applications,
and tooling, which unlock the value of data and
predicts and shapes the future business outcome.
It handles the repetitive tasks and empowers the
employees for more creative work (IBM 2019).
It is used for various purposes like assistance,
discovery, machine learning, knowledge
catalogue, language translator, natural language
classifier, tone analyser, speech to text and text
to speech conversion. AI is gradually and slowly
making an impact on our daily life, businesses,
and office.
Artificial Intelligence and Libraries
The available literature discusses AI applications
in various automated services and creation
of automated systems in the library and
information sector. Morris (1991) and Matheson
(1995) explained the evolution and progress in
the library and information science in the age
of information technology, and newly emerging
technologies. Morris discussed the development
started in the classification, retrieval, cataloguing,
reference, and indexing services with an expert
system’s help. The libraries’ mundane and
repetitive work can be done by the expert system
and enable librarians to focus more on engaging
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and relevant library areas and efficiently serve
them. Matheson pointed out that the 19th
century libraries were not technology-driven,
and only the physical resources were available
such as the textbooks, the journal articles,
monographs, and encyclopaedias. The 20th
century libraries started moving towards this as
the repository of second-hand knowledge led
to the library as the owner and the librarian as
the second-hand knowledge manager. Over the
decades, the roles of librarians have drastically
changed. In the future, libraries may transform
into online knowledge servers, and there would
be a more significant role for technology to play.
Liu (2011) and Fernandez (2016) highlighted the
various issues and challenges associated with the
implementation of AI in libraries. Liu has been
analysing the research papers since the 1990s on
the applications of intelligent system technologies
in digital libraries. The findings revealed that
various models were proposed, however, only a
few were implemented. He also has pointed out
that the smart system’s libraries’ application is
still in a very nascent stage. Fernandez believes
that various concerns have emerged over AI and
its role in reshaping the libraries.
Several scholars have explored the potential
role of AI in libraries (Allison 2012; Fernandez
2016; Oyelude 2017; Cox, Pinfield, and Rutter
2018; Massis 2018). Allison (2012) demonstrated
the implementation of AI-powered chatbots at
the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Fernandez
(2016) discussed AI applications in various
fields and its major impacts on computing,
robotics, and big data. Oyelude (2017) examined
how emerging technologies like AI can be used
in libraries. Cox, et al. (2018) have analysed
the potential impact of AI in the academic
libraries and its outcomes and consequences
on the functioning of libraries. The study has
been conducted by interviewing the experts in
library science, computer science, and other
related fields. According to them, AI tools would
improve the search discovery and better retrieval
of information by filling the gaps of metadata
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and indexing the documents. TDM and Chatbots
would help in providing better library services by
understanding user behaviour and requirements.
The Cox, et al., also discussed the challenges
associated with AI implementations. Massis
examined the potential role of AI in libraries and
concluded that various institutions are using
AI-designed devices, this would improve services
provided by academic libraries. Hammais and
Ketamo (2019) discussed the mobile application
with AI-driven technology created for the
Helsinki Central Library, which guides the users
to search new books by different parameters like
voice, location, and popularity. Wenborn,
et al. (2019) highlighted the power of technology
to bring innovation in libraries. Studies also
emphasize that library professionals must learn
new skills and there is a need to redesign library
and information science courses.
Potential Applications and Impacts
of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries
Libraries are the social institutions that provide
services to society for their development and
upliftment. It is the intellectual hub where a
person comes and gathers knowledge embedded
in information resources. Over time, the role
of libraries and the nature of services offered
by them are changing. Libraries are adopting
new and emerging technologies to make their
products and services better to serve their users
efficiently. AI is gradually making its appearance
in the libraries. The potential areas in the
libraries in which AI has the potential to make its
mark are discussed here:
1. Personalized services to users: Based on
pattern recognition, AI can offer various
customized and personalized services to
the library users. AI can study the pattern
of issue, return, library visit, search history,
and interest of a library user. Based on this
information, libraries can suitably offer
various personalized services. By processing
the gathered information with respect to
Artificial Intelligence and the Future Libraries
issue, return and search history of the users,
AI can suggest the reading materials and can
also send proactive alert messages in case of
any user’s preferred collection is added in the
library. It also solves users’ queries, resolves
issues and minimizes the rate of complaints.
Owing to the unprecedented proliferation of
information, AI would make it possible to
analyse the big data, anticipate users’ needs,
and draw conclusions to provide library
services effectively. Text and data mining
can be done by AI, as it examines extensive
data in less time and presents only relevant
information promptly to the users (Cox,
Pinfield, and Rutter 2018).
2. Finding library resources: It has been found
that despite classification and cataloguing,
users face problems in locating physical
materials in the library. In this direction,
AI can help in locating the place of physical
books in the library (Van Otterlo, 2016).
Robots can help locate the books from a shelf
and make it available to the users in real-time.
3. Enhanced role in search and discovery: AI
would impact search and resource discovery
(Cox, Pinfield, and Rutter 2018). By limiting
search time and offering better results, AI-
based search and discovery will give more
precise results. Issues pertaining to metadata
and indexing can be both identified and
resolved by utilizing AI, thus ensuring better
discoverability. Apart from this, AI can
also capture the pattern and behaviour of a
searcher. AI can predict users’ needs, based
on pattern recognition and neural networks
and automatically provide results (Abbattista,
Semeraro, and Bordoni 2003). As the libraries
are witnessing a decline in the live reference
interviews, soon, AI may replace library
professionals’ role in answering reference
queries. AI can pave new ways of interacting
with content. AI may play a prominent role
in making the circulation system of a library
automated. The use of robot and drone in
finding and delivery of requested documents
World Digital Libraries 15(2): 151–166
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would be a worthy feature. For example,
CiteSeerX, Microsoft Academic, Semantic
Scholar, Yewno, and Sparrho are AI-enabled
search engines that bring more efficiency in
searching and discovering information.
4. Effective information retrieval (IR): It plays
a vital role in knowledge management. The
users formulate a query using a specific
keyword relevant to their search. Information
is extracted based on the way the document
is represented and its similarity with the
question. AI methods in IR will be the
context-specific adaptation of retrieval
methods where machine learning can be
applied to find optimized functions for
collections or queries (Ramón, et al. 2011).
5. Assistance to differently-abled people in
the library: AI can diminish or eliminate the
technological barriers faced by differently-
abled people and can democratize the
information. It can help in speech to text
conversion and vice versa, apart from text
recognition, face recognition, and assistive
technology (Cahalane 2017).
6. Library ambience control: With the
intelligent system, atmospheric features
like temperature, lighting, and moisture
can be controlled. The intelligent agents
can automatically detect the changes in the
atmospheric parameters of the library and
act accordingly. Personalized ambience
can also be provided in the library with the
applications of AI.
7. Automatic document classification: With
deep neural network models, the similarity
between document vectors is calculated, and
then AI technology is applied on documents
to classify them automatically.
8. Guide in collection development: AI
facilitates strategic planning in acquiring
documents for a library. Based on the users’
searching behaviour, availability of the
resources, publication trends, denial report,
budget availability, pattern recognition, AI
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may suggest documents’ acquisition. It may
also suggest discarding off the documents not
in use regularly. The nature of the collection
building will also be changed. The focus will
be to build a collection in machine-readable
form so that data and text mining can be done
for various services.
9. Security of library material: Security of
documents available in the library is an
area of high concern amongst the library
professionals. The existing known security
options like RFID tag and EM strips can be
compromised by the users and have many
issues. AI can help to solve this long-pending
issue of the security of library materials. The
entry in the library can be validated by the
chip containing biometric and other personal
information. Every document may have a
unique identity and place. In case of any
compromise with the identity, the security
robot may become active, and the act can be
prevented. The interconnected system may
take the appropriate steps as programmed.
10. Capturing users’ data for effective services:
AI can map the students’ reading habits and
capture the reaction during learning. This
reaction will help in many future aspects
like determining the optimal time, place of
reading, and choosing the areas where more
attention is required. AI may also suggest
reading materials to the students based on
the captured data if the same is available in
the library. If the material is not available in
the library, the system may have a feature to
procure it and make it available or alert the
library staff for the procurement.
11. Reduce duplication of work in library
operations: Libraries can start using
robots instead of humans for those pieces
of work which are time-consuming and
duplicate. A few libraries have already
started using robots in their operations
(Yao, Zhang, and Chen 2015; Babu 2019).
Temasek Polytechnic Library, Shanghai
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Verma and Gupta
Library, China, Edogawa City Library
Shinozaki Library, Japan and University
of Electro-Communications, Japan are
some of the libraries using robots to bring
more efficiency in their services and reduce
duplication of work.
12. A virtual assistant (intelligent chatbots):
It acts like a machine that decodes human
speech, face recognition, and character
recognition using natural language
processing. Chatbots can solve the users’
complex information query and provide its
service on 24×7 basis even when a library
is closed; hence, users will receive response
against their questions. Chatbots have
potential to offer tailor-made notifications
and alert messages to users so that the
libraries can deliver selective dissemination
of information (SDI) and alert services
to their users (Nawaz and Gomes 2020;
Herron 2017). Applications like Alexa
and Siri may find a place in the library as
a reference assistant for answering basic
reference questions and guide users in
the library. “The National Library Board
in Singapore is working with researchers
to design a robot using intelligent agent-
based software to-read shelves and create
reports for library staff regarding missing
and out-of-place books” (Herron 2017).
By performing these activities, AI may
help enhance interaction between user
and staff, and user and information thus
allowing the librarians to investigate the
areas that require improvements (Guliciuc,
et al. 2018). Chatbots cannot replace every
function of library staff but could be a value
addition to the library.
13. Metadata creation and problem
identification: AI-based tools can
automatically create metadata of materials
by recognizing different fields and reducing
the library staff’s burden. Repetitive tasks
can also be performed using it. AI can also
identify problems in metadata and produce
Artificial Intelligence and the Future Libraries
metadata accurately and efficiently. With
AI, the indexing materials’ approach will
also get changed with periodic index review,
which will lead to the precise result.
14. Scholarly communication: AI technologies
and tools may change the nature of scholarly
communication process. The way peer
reviews are done today, and research articles
are published will be changed. Based on
text mining, the peer review can be done
by AI-enabled machines. It may also play
a prominent role in many areas, such as
statistics validity, figure, and table coherence
(Cox, Pinfield, and Rutter 2018).
SWOT Analysis of Artificial
Intelligence in the Library
Artificial intelligence has been moving forward
from fantasy to reality. There is plenty of hangs-
up with AI, but AI will change how we generate,
process, and analyse information. The most
regularly voiced concern is that AI will change the
dimension of information on librarians’ expense.
People see AI as a potential threat as compared
to opportunity. Elon Musk, Tesla CEO stresses
the need to closely regulate AI development
as our biggest existential threat (Kumparak
2014). Discussing the potentials and perils of
AI for academic librarians, Bell, points out that
in the future AI, devices would majorly carry
out interactions with humans and thus would
threaten the existing jobs. Even the job security
of academic librarians would not be at the same
level. However, taking the optimistic views
about AI, he also says that AI could potentially
lead us to make the new knowledge discovery.
Pointing out the weakness of AI, Bell says that
soft skills that require emotional intelligence are
challenging to delegate or automate. Empathy
cannot be replaced by AI (Bell 2016). Mulgan
(2018) says that 41% of the British public views
AI as a threat equivalent to nuclear weapons.
According to him, as any new technology has
associated risks, but benefits overweighed
World Digital Libraries 15(2): 151–166
159
the risks. The same holds true for AI. While
presenting AI’s strength, the author has discussed
AI’s capacity to empower people, deliver fast
and efficient services, and achieve broader social
good. AI can provide better-personalized services
with the help of big data. Johnson (2018) pointed
out the changing shape of libraries and library
professionals after AI revolution. He predicts that
there would be a significant shift in library users’
habit and the library profession. A machine can
replace many intellectual works. Although the
overall prediction is not possible till the time AI
gets evolved. However, devices may have more
considerable interference in library services, and
there would be the threat of data security, privacy,
job security. There would also be a shift in the
role of libraries and they would not be the centre
of information anymore, and there would be the
emergence of new players, but the new players
do not always share the values of libraries. IFLA
highlighted the concerns over data ethics and the
use of the algorithm in searching and retrieval,
leading to a risk of bias and discrimination
(IFLA 2018). Phillips (2017) advocates the more
control of human over machines and puts IA
(intelligence augmentation) as the relevant term
instead of AI. He says IA is about to give more
human control of AI, automation, robotics. He
says that IA puts humans in control and leverages
AI’s computing power to enhance human beings’
capability. He argues that AI lacks in emotion and
predicts AI and IA’s coexistence, with a limited
role of the former. Bourg (2017) expressed the
various concerns in applying AI in the libraries
and says that AI and machine learning in the
libraries depend on the extent of AI consistently
helping a library improve work performance and
supporting a library’s mission. AI can be used for
fast and efficient services and better search and
discovery, providing personalized services with
limitations like algorithm bias.
Experts have different opinions about the
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
of AI for the libraries. Table 2 depicts the SWOT
of AI.
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Table 2 SWOT analysis of the application of AI in the library
Strengths
• Fast and efficient
• Reliable search and discovery
• Better resources utilization
• Personalised services
• Better collection building
• Emotions free
Opportunities
• Possibilities to combine with other technologies
to solve various problems
• New and emerging roles of LIS professionals
• Curriculum modification
There is no doubt that AI implementation
would reduce library professionals’ requirement,
and the role and skills needed would also
change. The development in AI has paved the
way for many opportunities, but the uncertainty
associated with it has also possessed threats.
There are public worries that the AI will steal
the librarians’ job or AI cannot fulfil the
human touch of library services, which is an
essential part of the library. One cannot stop
the development of AI tools and technology.
Still, the only need is to keep one’s eyes open
and adapt to the developments so that library
professionals grasp the opportunities created by
AI and utilize its strength to make their services
better and efficient.
Artificial Intelligence and Redefining
the Role of Library Professionals
The very purpose of the library is to provide
effective services to its users. There would be a
significant change in work performed by library
professionals in the wake of AI implementation.
However, it is imperative to understand the
behaviour of users towards AI. The users usually
do not take advantage of the technology at full
extent. Despite the availability, self-check-in
and check-out services in the library, maximum
users still go to the physical librarians to do these
World Digital Libraries 15(2): 151–166
Verma and Gupta
Weaknesses
• No empathy
• Undefined accountability
• Chances of bias
• The algorithm can be compromised
Threats
• Security- and privacy-related issues
• Job stealing
• Chance to outsmart human being
• What if when AI gets wrong
• Unpredictable limits
• Ethical concerns
services (Cox, Pinfield, and Rutter 2018). It is
not clear to what extent the different services
would be affected by AI and how, in turn, they
will affect the LIS professionals. As AI will
impact many areas of product and services,
LIS professionals’ role will be redefined. Text
and data mining will be an essential part of AI
implications in the libraries where algorithm
analyses a large body of content for the pattern
and information. With the growing information,
the content will also grow. AI will redefine and
expand the role of library professionals. Their
role will be redefined to negotiate about licence
content and software needed for text and data
mining with the provider. They can also play
an important role in imparting training to use
the tool. LIS professionals should acquire the
knowledge to handle the changes initiated by AI.
The role of LIS professionals in understanding
the various aspects of the contents will be crucial.
Their role will be much critical in procurement
and monetization of the contents. They will be
instrumental in data stewardship, data curation,
data quality control, data analysis, and designing
data infrastructure. With the predictable
changing nature of scholarly communication due
to AI, library professionals may have a significant
role in designing the different services with the
available contents.
Artificial Intelligence and the Future Libraries
Issues and Challenges of
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is an evolving field. It
is being used in many sectors for providing
different services, however, there are many issues
and challenges associated with AI. Some of these
are discussed here:
1. Privacy: Privacy is the central concern with AI.
Many incidents of privacy breach in the digital
world have been reported. With AI technology,
there would be a considerable number of
users’ data with the companies, and there
would be data privacy, data manipulation,
personal privacy, and consent. However, the
extent of the threat is not clear. Still, looking
on the present incidents related to a data
5. Patch solution: The library is not a prime
privacy breach, the danger could be more far
reaching because of the variety and volume of
data and information involved with AI.
2. Biases: Trust is an important area of
concern. It is not known to what extent
AI can be trusted for a fair and impartial
decision. The complexity involved in the
process of decisions is not clear. AI builds
upon algorithms using unbiased data and
programme for accuracy in decision making.
Hence, AI can act bias and promote racism,
6. Lack of policy formulation: At present, Al is at
hate speeches, misinformation, gender
inequality. (Omehia 2020). There would be a
question of accountability and transparency.
3. Expensive: Cost is a significant barrier to
AI implementation. AI is a costly tool (Cox,
Pinfield, and Rutter 2018). Since AI is the
7. Acceptance of users: The users’ acceptance
basket of different technologies involved,
hence price would be a significant concern.
The AI systems would mostly be proprietary,
which will add further cost to it.
4. Employability: There is a daunting nightmare
for library professionals that AI would take
away their jobs. Most of the repetitive jobs
may be taken care of by the AI, giving LIS
professionals time for other work types.
A study conducted by Frey and Osborene
(2017) estimates that about 47% of the total
World Digital Libraries 15(2): 151–166
161
US employability is at risk. In the case of
libraries, the estimated probability is that,
99% ‘library technicians’ and 95% of ‘library
assistant, clerical’ jobs will be replaced by
the computers. Since most of the activities
from acquisition to technical processing to
circulation to answering reference queries
will be done by machine, what would be the
future of the current jobs. The employability
scenario of library professionals is not precise.
The may change the way they work and
practice. AI would let LIS professionals to
do many new emerging things. They may
redefine themselves to manage the process of
introducing AI to avoid different concerns like
privacy, data security, text, and data mining.  
consumer of new and emerging technologies.
The technologies are developed for various
applications in different sectors. In most cases,
the developed technologies are implemented
in the libraries with modification. This might
be the case of AI application in the library also.
The library might not be the lead sector for AI
development, and there would be issues at the
implementation level and risk it possesses after
that.
the emerging stage, but the governments need
to formulate a definite and transparent policy
to unleash its potential. The policy should be
futuristic, capable of taking care of various
risks associated with AI.
of AI would be an essential issue to tackle. AI
would diminish the interpersonal relation, as
the machines would replace many functions
of humans. The libraries have seen that
users are reluctant to use various online and
automated library services despite having
various online and automated library services.
Hence acceptability of users is an important
issue.
162
8. Infrastructure: Infrastructure is a crucial
component for implementing any system.
A robust infrastructure is an essential
requirement for implementing the AI
not only in the library sector but also in
any other sector. Lack of fund and non-
availability of robust infrastructure are
significant challenges.
9. High dependence on commercial
organization: The role of librarians is to
implement AI by reshaping it according to
the library’s requirement. Still, for the AI
tools and techniques, their dependency on
the commercial organization will be more,
this will add cost to the library budget (Cox,
Pinfield, and Rutter 2018).
10. Accountability: If the algorithm goes
wrong or takes any wrong decision who
will be accountable for the same? As per
available legal provisions a machine cannot
be held responsible. Fixing responsibility
on the developer (as now the case in some
incidents) will also not be a rational decision.
One of the most significant issues in AI
application is—how to define intelligence?
Since there is no consensus on the definition
of intelligence, hence designing a system will
be a challenge. Another critical issue is the
uncertainty associated with AI and its potential
applications. Another vital thing to consider is
that AI is not a single entity or operation; many
complex entities are involved. Its success depends
on the success of individual entities. There are
always likely chances of issues related to data use.
For the commercial organizations, data of library
users will be the product, and safeguarding the
data will be critical.
Conclusion
Technology plays a prominent role in a hyper-
connected world. People–machine relationship
is becoming more personalized and fluid.
Looking at the present trends, AI can emerge as
a driving force to reshape the libraries’ services.
World Digital Libraries 15(2): 151–166
Verma and Gupta
However, the growth and potential impact of
AI is still not evident. It is also not clear how
computers will understand the world. Whether
they know or ‘misunderstand’ the world and
whether they will be actual intelligence. The
experts have divided opinion on the potential
effects of AI on libraries. Although AI is no
immediate threat, AI in libraries can be viewed
both as exciting and disruptive. AI will come at
the cost of weakening interpersonal relationships
in the libraries. Although with the impact of
AI, the library collection, nature of services,
search and discovery of materials and role of
librarian will be changed, however, the extent
of change is unclear. There are many issues
and challenges associated with the application
of AI in the libraries. Societal adaptability is an
essential aspect of the future of AI. Although it
is relatively early to predict the future libraries,
there are many areas where libraries should
prepare themselves to adapt to changes. The
world would be a better place by leveraging AI
efficiently and strategically, however, it should be
borne in the mind, every technology has its own
limitations.
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