AI and Libraries: Tool or Threat?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the world of information and redefining the role of libraries in the 21st century. From smart search systems and automated subject classification to text summarization tools and chatbot-assisted user support, AI offers new opportunities that enhance library operations and facilitate access to knowledge. At the same time, however, it brings significant challenges to the forefront: information reliability, algorithmic biases, copyright issues, and the need to maintain human judgment as a fundamental quality filter.

This lecture explores whether AI functions as a valuable tool for librarians and patrons, or if it poses a potential threat to the way information is produced, organized, and shared. Featuring practical examples from international libraries and a discussion on the ethical and social dimensions of this technology, the talk aims to provide a balanced and comprehensive assessment of how AI can be responsibly leveraged in a space dedicated to knowledge.