The Double-Edged Sword of Artificial Intelligence in Academic Libraries and Research

ABSTRACT: The study is an investigation into the beautiful and ugly sides of applications and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in Academic libraries and research. It adopted a descriptive survey design and was guided by two research questions. The population sample of the study was 150 librarians and lecturers selected from 75 universities in Nigeria, while a Likert four point type structured questionnaire was the only instrument used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experts in measurement and evaluation using Cronbach’s alpha. Result showed coefficient of α = .80. Data collected were analyzed using frequencies and simple percentile and presented in tables. The outcome of the study revealed among other things that application and use of AI in academic library will enhance service provision to users and can positively enhance academic research while on the negative side, that AI may not always provide accurate prediction or decision, depending on the complexity of the task and quality of data and with it, academic research, data security is not guaranteed as well as that at a point in time, researchers might start to think that AI knows everything and can replace human researchers among others.

The study therefore recommended inter-alia that Librarians in academic libraries in Nigeria should discard the allayed fears and view AI from the angle that it is a vital tool for the provision of vital information or knowledge in line with the transformation agenda of the global sustainable development goals (SDGs) therefore must be harnessed to its fullest.