FUTURE OF INFORMATION SERVICE DELIVERY USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper investigated the future of information service delivery using artificial intelligence in academic libraries in Nasarawa State. Four (4) research questions guided the study while two null hypotheses were tested in the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study with the total population comprising of one hundred and fifty-nine (159) library staff from six selected academic libraries in Nasarawa State. Stratified random sampling technique was used in the selection of the respondents from the six academic libraries in Nasarawa State. The instruments for data collection include questionnaire and interviews and the data was analyzed using frequency and simple percentage, mean (X) and standard deviation (SD). Findings of the study revealed the high impacts of artificial intelligence on the future of library and information service delivery. It also pointed application of artificial intelligence by library staff in academic libraries for service delivery. Further findings from the study revealed that, addressing digital divide, transparency and accountability/ job displacement, equity and access/ partnership and collaborations, data quality and integrity, resource allocation/ change management, privacy and security are the main challenges associated with the adoption of artificial intelligence in library and information service delivery in academic libraries. In conclusion, evaluation effectiveness was observed as a strategy that could correct the challenges that alter the workforce of artificial intelligence in library and information service delivery. It is recommended that academic libraries should fully embrace artificial intelligence for effective information services delivery due to its inherent benefits and implications for the future of library and information science profession. Further more, AI-powered service should be designed in a manner that all users can access. AI systems should be transparent and accountable while its data privacy and security should be well secured.