Overcoming Barriers to AI Implementation in University Libraries: A Developing Country Perspective

Samson Adesina Akinola

Abstract


This paper explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as an enabler for effective library services in universities in developing countries in the contemporary information age, focusing on its use in library functions, librarians' attitudes, readiness, challenges, and recommendations for effective implementation. The paper shows that AI has the potential to enhance library services and improve user experiences.  It also assures that librarians play a crucial role in the implementation and use of AI, and their attitudes towards AI vary. Some librarians are excited about the possibilities AI offers, while others are skeptical or hesitant about its implementation in libraries. However, the paper concludes that librarians in developing countries express a readiness to adopt AI in university libraries. Despite this readiness, there are several challenges in implementing and using AI in university libraries in developing countries, including limited resources, lack of technical expertise, and concerns regarding privacy and data protection. To overcome these challenges and ensure effective use of AI, the paper recommends appropriate tools such embracing AI technologies like chatbots, RFID, and robotics for top-level service delivery, as well as leveraging AI to connect with remote users and regain relevance within the user base.


Keywords


Artificial Intelligence (AI); Library services; Librarians; Developing countries.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abayomi, O. K., Adenekan, F. N., Abayomi, A. O., Ajayi, T. A., & Aderonke, A. O. (2021). Awareness and perception of the artificial intelligence in the management of university libraries in Nigeria. Journal of Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery & Electronic Reserve, 29(1-2), 13-28.

Adetayo, A. J. (2023). Artificial intelligence chatbots in academic libraries: the rise of ChatGPT. Library Hi Tech News, 40(3), 18-21.

Ajani, Y. A., Tella, A., Salawu, K. Y., & Abdullahi, F. (2022). Perspectives of librarians on awareness and readiness of academic libraries to integrate artificial intelligence for library operations and services in Nigeria. Internet Reference Services Quarterly, 26(4), 213-230.

Al-Aamri, J., & Osman, N. E. (2022). The Role of Artificial Intelligence Abilities in Library Services. The International Arab Journal of Information Technology, 19(3A), 566–573..

Asemi, A., Ko, A., & Nowkarizi, M. (2020). Intelligent libraries: a review on expert systems, artificial intelligence, and robot. Library Hi Tech, 39(2), 412-434.

Asim, M., Arif, M., Rafiq, M. & Ahmad, R. (2023). Investigating applications of Artificial Intelligence in university libraries of Pakistan: An empirical study. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 49(6), 1-17.

Barsha, S., & Munshi, S. A. (2023). Implementing artificial intelligence in library services: A review of current prospects and challenges of developing countries. Library Hi Tech News, 41(1), 7-10.

Borgohain, D. J., Bhardwaj, R. K., & Verma, M. K. (2024). Mapping the literature on the application of artificial intelligence in libraries (AAIL): a scientometric analysis. Library Hi Tech, 42(1), 149-179.

Bradley, F. (2022). Representation of Libraries in Artificial Intelligence Regulations and Implications for Ethics and Practice. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 71(3), 189–200.

Bubinger, H., & Dinneen, J. D. (2021). Actionable approaches to promote ethical AI in libraries. Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 58(1), 682-684

Chan, H. C., & Chan, L. (2018). Smart library and smart campus. Journal of Service Science and Management, 11(6), 543-564.

Chen, D., Liu, Y., & Luo, Y. (2019). Model framework construction of library personalized smart service based on user portrait. Library Work and Study, 6, 72-78.

CILIP. (2021.). Research report: The impact of AI, machine learning, automation and robotics on the information professions. CILIP: The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

Cox, A. (2023). How artificial intelligence might change academic library work: Applying the competencies literature and the theory of the professions. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 74(3), 367-380.

Echedom, A. U., & Okuonghae, O. (2021). Transforming academic library operations in Africa with artificial intelligence: Opportunities and challenges: A review paper. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 27(2), 243-255.

Ex Libris. (2019, April 15). How AI Can Enhance the Value of Research Libraries. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/how-ai-can-enhance-the-value-of-research-libraries

Farag, H. A., Mahfouz, S. N., & Alhajri, S. (2021). Artificial intelligence investing in academic libraries: Reality and challenges. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1-34.

Gasparini, A. A., & Kautonen, H. (2022). Understanding Artificial Intelligence in Research Libraries: An Extensive Literature Review. LIBER Quarterly: Te Journal of European Research Libraries, 32(1), 1–36.

Harisanty, D., Anna, N. E. V., Putri, T. E., Firdaus, A. A., & Noor Azizi, N. A. (2022). Leaders, practitioners and scientists' awareness of artificial intelligence in libraries: a pilot study. Library Hi Tech, 42(3), 809-825.

Hervieux, S., & Wheatley, A. (2021). Perceptions of artificial intelligence: A survey of academic librarians in Canada and the United States. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 47(1), 102270.

Hussain, A. (2023). Use of artificial intelligence in the library services: prospects and challenges. Library Hi Tech News, 40(2), 15-17.

Li, J., & Wang, H. (2021). Application of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries. In 2021 3rd International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Manufacture (AIAM), (pp. 323–329.

Liu, J., Liu, J., & Chen, Y. (2022). Application of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Information Retrieval of University Library. In Innovative Computing: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Innovative Computing (IC 2021) (pp. 221-228). Springer Singapore.

Lund, B. D., & Wang, T. (2023). Chatting about ChatGPT: how may AI and GPT impact academia and libraries?. Library hi tech news, 40(3), 26-29.

Neumann, O., Guirguis, K., & Steiner, R. (2024). Exploring artificial intelligence adoption in public organizations: a comparative case study. Public Management Review, 26(1), 114-141.

Okunlaya, R.O., Syed Abdullah, N. & Alias, R.A. (2022). Artificial intelligence (AI) library services innovative conceptual framework for the digital transformation of university education. Library Hi Tech, 40(6), 1869-1892.

Oladokun, B.D., Owolabi, A.K., Aboyade, M. A., Wiche, H.I. & Aboyade, W.A. (2023). Emergence of robotic technologies: implications for Nigerian academic libraries. Library Hi Tech News, 40(6), 15-18.

Omame, I. M., & Alex-Nmecha, J. C. (2020). Artificial intelligence in libraries. In Managing and adapting library information services for future users (pp. 120-144). IGI Global.

Panda, S., & Chakravarty, R. (2022). Adapting intelligent information services in libraries:A case of smart AI chatbots. Library Hi Tech News, 39 (1), 12–15.

Pence, H. (2022). Future of artificial intelligence in libraries. The Reference Librarian, 63(4), 133-143.

Thalaya, N., & Puritat, K. (2022, January). BCNPYLIB CHAT BOT: The artificial intelligence Chatbot for library services in college of nursing. In 2022 Joint International Conference on Digital Arts, Media and Technology with ECTI Northern Section Conference on Electrical, Electronics, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering (ECTI DAMT & NCON) (pp. 247-251). IEEE.

Vijayakumar, S. & Sheshadri, K.N. (2019). Applications of artificial intelligence in academic libraries. International Journal of Computer Sciences and Engineering, 7(16), 136-140.

Wood, B.A. and Evans, D. (2018). Librarians’ perceptions of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on the profession. Computers in Libraries, 38(1).

Yoon, J., Andrews, J. E., & Ward, H. L. (2021). Perceptions on adopting artificial intelligence and related technologies in libraries: Public and academic librarians in North America. Library Hi Tech, 40(6), 1893–1915.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/edulib.v14i2.66752

DOI (PDF): https://doi.org/10.17509/edulib.v14i2.66752.g28962

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2024 Edulib

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.