Does Present AI Make Library Services Better?
Authors
-
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi – 110016, New Delhi
Vijay Kumar Verma
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17821/srels/2025/v62i1/171702Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, Virtual Reference ServiceAbstract
Libraries, all over the world, are facing challenges to provide efficient and customized services to the users. Artificial Intelligence (AI) appears to be a transformative force with the ability to overhaul library operations and enhance user experience. However. AI has various limitations. Debates related to the application of AI in libraries, especially on the question of whether AI applications make library services better are on. This article examines the current development of AI and its application in improving various library services. AI has the capability to improve some services of the library like search capabilities, customise recommendations, data analytics and virtual reference service. However, AI in its current form cannot replace the indispensable role played by the library and information professionals in providing personalised services with a human touch, services which require cognitive and strategic thinking, guiding difficult searches, answering various follow-up queries, organising collections, and ensuring ethical considerations. This article examines the weakness of current AI with examples. It concludes that AI has the potential, but it cannot be applied in every domain of library services and more research needs to be done on this subject to help libraries in the responsible adoption of AI.
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