Artificial intelligence (AI)
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BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) is seemingly everywhere in 2025, and on the minds of many professional people from business to medicine. Some (many?) librarians resist AI, and push back on suggested testing let alone adoption, based on core values (and ethical standards). Meanwhile, library users are asking librarians to help them in making sense of the almost non-stop information (and hype) about AI within the context of doing their academic research. To begin, it's important to distinguish between using AI technologies embedded in our licensed bibliographic databases and platforms in universities (say, Covidence using machine learning to tag RCTs and sort most relevant papers link), developed by Cochrane and proven in scientific studies, from the generative AI companies in Silicon Valley (and their tools). Many GenAI tools are problematic, hyped and unproven scientifically - and that's where much attention is placed. At the centre of AI resistance is how large language models (LLMs) are created by crawling copyrighted content from the web, and conflict with the values of librarianship - and commitments we have made to uphold intellectual property rights, data integrity, and data privacy (in user communities). The reasons for AI rejection/skepticism are discussed elsewhere on this wiki, and must be discussed fully and debated. To read about how some libraries use AI (not simply GenAI) see, Georgia Public Library Service, a unit of the University System of Georgia. AI IN LIBRARIES. Quote: "...Welcome to the future of libraries, where the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we manage information, engage patrons, and enhance library services. In today's ... digital landscape, libraries play a crucial role in providing access to knowledge and information. With AI, libraries [are] offering solutions that meet the needs of their communities." All of this remains to be seen. What is artificial intelligence (AI)?According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Council on Artificial Intelligence, an AI system is defined as:
According to the document ISO/IEC 22989:2022 published by the International Organisation for Standardization’s (SIO) JTC 1/SC 42 technical committee, which defines AI-relevant terminology and was recently made publicly available, artificial intelligence is
What is artificial general intelligence (AGI)?Artificial general intelligence (AGI) — sometimes considered to be human‑level intelligence — is a type of artificial intelligence that would match or surpass human capabilities across virtually all cognitive tasks. See Goertzel B. Artificial general intelligence: Concept, state of the art, and future prospects. Journal of Artificial General Intelligence. 2014;5(1):1. According to the Canadian Government:
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How is AI defined and used by librarians?Artificial intelligence is broadly defined by librarians in their research as a transformative tool, one where librarians play "...a critical role in fostering ethical and inclusive approaches to AI, ensuring its use aligns with academic values and contributes to the advancement of knowledge". However, some librarians choose not to use AI (Generative AI - What is it?), citing its myriad conflicts with core library and professional values. Some librarians are overwhelmed by technological demands in their work, while others are interested in keeping an open mind vis a vis AI. Many libraries are taking a wait-and-see attitude and are not influenced by Silicon Valley's pressure tactics and hype. Artificial intelligence (AI) is defined as computer systems or software designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as problem-solving, decision-making, or information processing, with a focus on its application in library contexts. Some search experts emphasize AI’s role in enhancing information retrieval, automating repetitive tasks (e.g., cataloguing, indexing of biomedical papers, and performing reference services), and improving user experiences through tools like chatbots, recommendation systems, or data analytics. AI is perceived as a potential tool to provide access to information but librarians express concerns about its effects on library collections, licensing, and information literacy efforts. AI does not perform up to librarian standards in tests for tasks such as search term and metadata generation, and should be investigated for a range of other uses. Some librarians find it onerous and tedious to spend so much time testing these tools. Clash with library service valuesEmin (2025) outlines how AI conflicts with the values of librarianship, including librarians' commitment to uphold equity, intellectual freedom and privacy standards, and the public good. Library values come into conflict with the use of AI in other more concerning ways. For example, perpetuation of biases of a range of issues along gender, race and sexual orientation; privacy concerns conflict with the ALA’s value of privacy; AI conflicts with ALA value of working for the public good, protecting “the rights to education, literacy, and intellectual freedom” (ALA Council, 2024). AI does not provide accurate answers and is unproven in providing accurate answers to patrons’ questions; does not align with intellectual freedom. As academic librarians work to meet the information needs of their users, and as society evolves to include AI, we cannot ignore AI. Perhaps we can work with it in the context of critiquing the new technology, and how our bona fide licensed resources are superior in quality and authority. Note: Any discussion about AI geared towards librarians should start with a look at the ethical, legal, institutional and strategic concerns many librarians have about AI. Talk to your colleagues / librarian about your concerns to make informed decisions. See also
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