Abstract
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has seen an increase in the use of AI and digitalisation in the work environment. This technological wave has not spared the library space, as library practitioners are operating in a rapidly evolving digital environment that requires them to have the needed tools and possess the requisite skills in information management in the context of this fast-evolving technology space. However, there have been concerns that AI and related technologies may influence the positions of library practitioners. Before the study was conducted the researcher investigated other studies as far as the perception of the library practitioners on the influence of artificial intelligence in their careers. The researcher saw the gap that there are no studies on the topic. Also, due to the scarcity of literature on the perceptions of library practitioners on the influence of AI on their careers hence there was a need for the study to be conducted.
This qualitative study aimed to explore the library practitioners' perceptions of the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on their careers and the extent to which AI can offer inclusive spaces in libraries. In addition, the study examined the advantages and disadvantages associated with AI. It also examines what this portends for the positions of library practitioners. A qualitative design within the interpretive paradigm was chosen to conduct in-depth interviews with twelve library practitioners who participated from four campus libraries at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Gauteng, South Africa to determine their perceptions of the influence of AI on their careers, additional data was collected through questionnaires. The face-to-face was conducted, and eight participants were interviewed.
Five themes have been identified as the perception in the study namely, attitudes and fears towards AI technology, the impact of AI on the role of library practitioners, professional development in response to AI, ethical considerations related to AI implementation in libraries, future career prospects and job security. The perceptions of library practitioners towards AI and its use in libraries must be considered when re- aligning the role of library practitioners in this fast-changing technology use. The data has
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been analysed using thematic analysis content to identify themes and recurring patterns as described by the participants.
The study concluded that the research participants had definite career hopes and dreams to pursue and achieve. The library practitioners’ attitudes and fears of competing with AI need to be resolved through reskilling and repurposing. These included aspirations towards a career that allows development and attitude change that affords a better-lasting career. Finally, findings showed that the participants are aware of certain barriers to their career development, however, they are already cognisant of ways to overcome these barriers. The findings also reveal that library practitioners have mixed feelings about the readiness of academic libraries to integrate AI into library operations and services. Based on the library practitioners perception, the results imply that the integration of AI in library operations and services will take the library to the next level by reducing human errors due to repetitiveness in library tasks.
The study recommends that libraries need to put in place strategies that will upskill library practitioners to enable them to meet the standards of using AI. The libraries need to evolve and embrace the AI revolution to make AI and conversational systems more accessible and human-centred.