Jairo Buitrago-Ciro National Autonomous University of Mexico
Marta Samokishyn Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada
Carmel Firdawsi Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada
Source
IFLA Journal (2025)
DOI: 10.1177/03400352251325274
Abstract
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications, such as ChatGPT, Bard, Gemini, and Copilot, have revolutionized education, capturing the attention of faculty, administration, and students alike. Academic libraries have actively engaged in facilitating the use of AI technologies while addressing challenges like misinformation, academic integrity concerns, and ethical considerations. This study examines AI integration, education, and outreach in academic libraries across Europe, North America (Canada and USA), Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. An environmental scan of 40 academic library websites from the Times Higher Education 10 highest-ranked libraries in each region was conducted. Results show that more than 50% of the libraries offered educational materials and 42.5% conducted educational activities, while only 12.5% included AI policies. The study results demonstrate that although many libraries have begun to integrate AI into their services, significant differences exist between regions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Figure 1. AI integration in the library services by region. Source: 10.1177/03400352251325274
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area.
He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.
