Exploring the potential of AI to Revolutionize Information Access and Management in Higher Education Libraries

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fundamentally transforming various sectors, and university libraries are no exception. AI technologies hold the potential to revolutionize how academic institutions manage information, access data, and serve their user communities. By using AI-driven tools such as machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and robotic process automation (RPA), libraries can provide more personalized, efficient, and intelligent services. This article explores evolving affordances of AI in university libraries as reported in the literature, while noting the main technological advancements, user expectations, economic pressures, and ethical considerations that are involved in this transformation. Drawing on the approach of Wiebe et al to foresight analysis approach (2018), this report presents some potential future scenarios for AI in academic libraries as well as some policy recommendations that can guide library administrators and decision-makers in the successful and ethical adoption of AI.