The COVID-19 pandemic forced academic libraries to adapt rapidly, accelerating their integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to support higher education in a predominantly virtual environment. This shift transformed libraries into hybrid models blending digital and physical services while also raising ethical and logistical challenges.
Key Adaptations and Innovations:
- Virtual Solutions: Libraries utilized AI-powered chatbots and enhanced digital catalogs to provide round-the-clock remote support and improve resource access.
- Digital Preservation: AI tools, such as OCR, facilitated the digitization of rare texts and enabled full-text search capabilities.
- Personalized Services: AI-driven recommendation systems tailored user experiences, enhancing engagement and accessibility.
- Metadata Automation: AI streamlined cataloging processes, improving efficiency and user search experiences.
Ethical and Societal Implications:
- Libraries confronted issues like the digital divide, algorithmic bias, and patron privacy. Efforts to bridge inequities included deploying mobile-optimized platforms and advocating for digital equity.
- Concerns over surveillance and AI bias prompted calls for ethical frameworks and transparent data governance.
The Future of Libraries: Libraries are redefining their roles, using AI to foster global collaboration, support lifelong learning, and innovate physical spaces as hubs for community engagement. Training staff in AI literacy and ethical practices is essential for sustainable transformation.
By thoughtfully embracing AI, libraries can expand their reach and impact while upholding values of equity and intellectual freedom, emerging as resilient and innovative institutions in a post-pandemic world.
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