Application of AI in

Libraries
Muhammad Hossam Haider Chowdhury
Retired Librarian
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwMYhF4nJdY
Artificial intelligence (AI) Technology: overview

• AI refers to “the science and engineering of making intelligent machines”

(McCarthy, 1955; Manning, 2020)
• Generative AI refers to algorithms that can synthesize—or generate– the
answers to the questions … based on vast amounts of data on which it has
been trained, such as those archived and indexed by search engines (Ebert &
Louridas, 2023)
• Generative models can produce totally novel content (including text, image,
video, audio, structures), computer code, synthetic data, workflows and
model of physical objects (Gartner, 2024a)
• ChatGPT is a large language model (LLM) AI, a generative artificial
intelligence that creates sentences using patterns of language structure in its
database to generate paragraphs of text like that of a human writing the
text.
• There are other generative AI tools, such as, G Bard, DALL-E3, Synthesia, etc.
• AI technologies and applications have the potential to enhance librarians’
works.
Source: 11 Best Generative
AI Tools and Platforms.
https://www.turing.com/res
ources/generative-ai-tools
(accessed on 10 Nov 2024)
Benefits of AI implementation in
Libraries
• Libraries can better serve their patron
communities and public.
• Beneficial for developing more sophisticated
research services.
• Economic for improving library service through
AI technology.
• Bring a competitive advantage or enhance the
library’s reputation as a trusted partner
among other players in the research ecosystem.
AI applicable Library services

• Enhanced Information Retrieval

• Automation of Routine Tasks
• Data Management and Analysis
• Preservation and Digitization
• Adaptive Learning Systems
Enhanced Information Retrieval
• AI-powered search engines and recommendation
systems improve the efficiency and accuracy of
finding relevant materials. AI algorithms help
users discover content that fits their research
needs, offering personalized recommendations
based on their search history and preferences.
Enhanced Information Retrieval - Tools
• Semantic Search Engines
• Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Query Understanding
• Personalized Recommendations
• Voice-Activated Search Systems
• Image-Based Search Tools
• Automated Metadata Tagging
• AI-Powered Library Catalogs
• AI-driven Reference Assistance
Knewton – An Adaptive Learning Systems Tool
• Knewton is one of the most well-known adaptive learning platforms, offering a
personalized learning experience across various subjects. It uses AI to analyze
students' strengths, weaknesses, and learning behaviors, adjusting content
delivery to maximize learning efficiency.
• Features
• Provides personalized study plans and content recommendations.
• - Incorporates analytics to assess learning gaps and adjust study paths.
• - Integrated into products like Pearson’s MyLab and McGraw-Hill’s SmartBook
• Focus
• General Education (K-12, Higher Ed)

• More Tools: Smart Sparrow; ALEKS , Socrative, CogBooks, Duolingo, etc.

IoT-based approaches applied in
libraries
• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
• Near-Field Communication (NFC)
• Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and
• Robotic systems

• Source: Bi, S.; Wang, C.; Zhang, J.; Huang, W.; Wu, B.; Gong, Y.; Ni, W. A
Survey on Artificial Intelligence Aided Internet-of-Things Technologies in
Emerging Smart Libraries. Sensors 2022, 22, 2991.
https://doi.org/10.3390/s22082991
AI-aided IoT
• The seat utilization information data can be dynamically monitored,
analyzed, and managed based on a web application, pressure and
RFID sensors.
• Can be applied in a similar case for study room occupancy.
• A drone robot is utilized for book inventories. Based on the visual
localization and OCR, the tags on the books can be identified by the
drone robot and further used for inventory service.
• Library audio approach using OCR, deep learning, and ultrasonic
sensors can help blind people hear and comprehend the content of
books.
• Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) deep learning aided computational
RFIDs (CRFID) technology can be utilized to detect and identify the
reading activities of readers, such as picking up the book, browsing
the title, skimming through the page, moving the location of the
book, reading, and borrowing.
Involvement in AI design and implementation
Librarians' involvement in the design and
implementation of AI tools is crucial for a multitude of
reasons.
• Librarians can ensure that AI tools are integrated
seamlessly with existing library services
• Librarians possess a deep understanding of the needs
and contexts of their users
• Librarians uphold ethical standards in the library,
including privacy, fairness, and transparency
• Librarians can gather user feedback, analyze usage
data, and conduct usability tests to assess the
effectiveness of these tools.
Caution
• GenAI models may perform very well at certain tasks,
but their output often contains errors, cites
inappropriate or fabricated sources, and in many cases,
provides inaccurate, misleading, and even biased
information (Giannakos, 2024).
• Therefore, caution is required concerning how GenAI
tools are being used, and human involvement is still
needed to verify the trustworthiness of the insights and
personalized offers (Giannakos, 2024).
AI Literacy
• Several reports underscore the importance of AI
literacy for all educators including librarians.
• AI Literacy is defined as an “individual’s ability to
critically evaluate, use, and effectively
communicate with AI (YI, 2021)
• For librarians, AI literacy could involve
understanding how AI tools work, how they can
be used to enhance library services, and how to
navigate potential ethical issues related to AI.
Ethical use of AI and Libraries
• AI should be used in a fair, unbiased, and transparent
manner.

• Protecting user privacy and data security in an AI-driven

environment
• As AI tools become more sophisticated in their ability to collect,
analyze, and utilize user data, libraries must ensure that they
have robust policies and protocols in place to safeguard
sensitive information.

• Source: Lo, L. S. (2024). Transforming academic librarianship through AI reskilling: Insights

from the GPT-4 exploration program. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 50(3), 102883.
Librarians may address for
upskilling
• In licensing proprietary AI products
• In offering library’s collections as data for
AI
• In supporting their communities led by data
science academics
• In customizing AI products as local needs
• In building institutional AI communities
Reports on AI
• UNESCO has published a report on GenAI in education
• The UK Department of Education and the Council of
Europe have outlined position statements indicating
guidelines and the need for regulation.
• US Department of Education. “Artificial Intelligence and
the future of Teaching and Learning”.
• OECD, Recommendation of the Council on Artificial
Intelligence, OECD/LEGAL/0449
• Australian Framework for Generative Artificial Intelligence
(AI) in Schools
• Bangladesh. National AI Policy 2024
Examples of AI-improved Library
Activities
• Metadata production and validation
• Collection management (including digitization)
• Systems development or procurement
• Discovery of information retrieval
• Information literacy for library staff and patrons
• Support service for research and education
• Leadership and administration
• Acquisition of information resources

• Source: Kautonen, H., & Gasparini, A. A. (2024). B-Wheel–Building AI competences

in academic libraries. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 50(4), 102886.
Some specific examples
• Research support: ChatGPT can assist initial research
phases by suggested sources and summarizing topics.
• Summaries: Ask ChatGPT to summarize books, articles,
or anything else so we can get the gist of it in less time.
• Automatic FAQs: Use ChatGPT to provide instant
answers to frequently asked questions about library
hours, services, and resources.
Remarks
• A librarian who follow the discussion
about AI’s implications may feel an
anxious about their AI skills and
competencies. This is not only a
concern of an individual librarian: The
accountability and respectability of the
entire profession can be seen at stake.
Information and communication
technology may fundamentally enhance
and challenge professional identities in
knowledge-intensive fields.
Conclusion
• The future of AI in education is still unfolding,
and libraries have a unique opportunity to be
at the forefront of this evolution. By taking a
proactive approach to AI, libraries can not
only enhance their own services but also
contribute to the broader conversation
about the role of AI in education.
• Libraries approach AI adoption as an
opportunity to augment and enhance human
expertise, rather than replace it.
References
• 11 Best Generative AI Tools and Platforms. Retrieved form
https://www.turing.com/resources/generative-ai-tools on 3 Oct 2024.
• Andrews, J. E., Ward, H., & Yoon, J. (2021). UTAUT as a model for understanding intention to
adopt AI and related technologies among librarians. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 47(6),
102437.
• Bi, S., Wang, C., Zhang, J., Huang, W., Wu, B., Gong, Y., & Ni, W. (2022). A survey on artificial
intelligence aided internet-of-things technologies in emerging smart libraries. Sensors, 22(8), 2991.
• Ebert, C and Louridas, P. (2023). Generative AI for Software Practitioners. IEEE
Software, 40(4), 30-38, doi: 10.1109/MS.2023.3265877.
• Giannakos, M., Azevedo, R., Brusilovsky, P., Cukurova, M., Dimitriadis, Y., Hernandez-
Leo, D., … Rienties, B. (2024). The promise and challenges of generative AI in
education. Behaviour & Information Technology, 1–27.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2024.2394886
• Gartner (2024a). Generative AI. Gartner Information Technology Glossary.
https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/generative-ai (accessed on 20
September 2024)
• Gartner (2024b). Large language models (LLMs). Gartner Information Technology
Glossary. https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/generative-ai (accessed on
20 September 2024)
References
• Johnson, S., Owens, E., Menendez, H., & Kim, D. (2024). Using ChatGPT-generated essays in
library instruction. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 50(2), 102863.
• Kautonen, H., & Gasparini, A. A. (2024). B-Wheel–Building AI competences in academic
libraries. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 50(4), 102886.
• Lo, L.S. (2023). An initial interpretation of the U.S. Department of Education's AI
report: Implications and recommendations for academic libraries. The Journal of
Academic Librarianship. 49:102761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2023.102761
• Lo, L. S. (2024). Transforming academic librarianship through AI reskilling: Insights from the
GPT-4 exploration program. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 50(3), 102883.
• Manning, C. (2020). Artificial intelligence definition.
https://hai.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/2020-09/AI-Definitions-HAI.pdf (accessed on 13 NOV
2024)
• McCarthy, J. (2007). From here to human-level AI. Artificial Intelligence, 171(18), 1174-1182.
• Wang, Y., & Singh, L. (2023). Adding guardrails to advanced chatbots. arXiv.
https://doi. org/10.48550/arXiv.2306.07500
• Yi, Y. (2021). Establishing the concept of AI literacy. Jahr–European Journal of Bioethics, 12(2),
353-368.
 Thank you
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