AI AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN LIBRARIES: A PARADIGM SHIFT IN KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in libraries constitutes a knowledge management, user experience, and administrative automation revolution. AI technologies are transforming conventional library services by enhancing information discovery, enabling individualized user experiences, and automating administration. AI is equally crucial in digital preservation, metadata management, and predictive analytics for collection development. However, the application of AI in libraries raises data privacy, algorithmic bias, budget constraints, and librarians' AI capability as issues. This study adopts the literature review method to investigate AI’s role in the development of digital libraries. A systematic review of research Abstracts, conference papers, and case studies published over the past ten years was conducted, with an emphasis on AI applications in libraries, implementation challenges, and future directions. Research papers were downloaded from IEEE Xplore, Emerald, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using keywords such as "Artificial Intelligence in Libraries," "AI and Digital Transformation," and "Library Automation through AI." A preliminary list of 120 papers was obtained with coverage of the past decade. The inclusion criteria were studies reporting the uses of AI in library services, implementation issues, and ethical concerns, excluding non-peer-reviewed literature and those not explicitly stating library environments. After applying these criteria, 45 Abstracts were shortlisted for close analysis. The study uses a thematic analysis approach with findings categorized into AI-assisted services, ethical issues, and sustainable implementation strategies. The findings forecast the potential of AI to enhance efficiency, user experience, and resource utilization as well as hint at challenges for costs and expertise regarding technology. The Abstract demands ethical models for AI, open systems, and professional capabilities for easy and efficient integration of AI in libraries. By interfacing with AI, libraries can be made dynamic, intelligent information hubs capable of serving the emerging needs of users in the digital era.