ALGORITHMIC BIAS AND INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM: NAVIGATING THE ETHICAL CHALLENGES OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE -DRIVEN CURATION IN DIGITAL LIBRARIES

Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into digital libraries has transformed how information is organized, accessed, and recommended. Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven curation tools, using machine learning and natural language processing, enable highly personalized experiences, streamline retrieval, and manage vast collections efficiently. However, alongside these benefits arise critical ethical challenges, particularly concerns about algorithmic bias and threats to intellectual freedom issues central to the mission of libraries. This paper critically examines how biases in AI systems, whether stemming from training data, design decisions, or user interactions, can result in inequitable information access, reinforce societal inequalities, and narrow the range of perspectives available to users. As digital libraries increasingly adopt AI, it is vital to ensure that technological advancements support, rather than undermine, democratic values. The discussion highlights strategies for mitigating ethical risks, such as promoting ethical design principles, ensuring transparency in algorithmic processes, using inclusive and representative datasets, and strengthening institutional oversight. Upholding intellectual freedom in the era of AI requires libraries to navigate these challenges thoughtfully, maintaining their role as defenders of equitable and diverse access to information in an increasingly complex digital landscape