Role and Responsibilities of Library Professionals in the Artificial Intelligence Era: An Indian Academic Perspective

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the environment of higher education and academic libraries in India. The emergence of generative AI, machine learning, natural language processing, automated discovery systems, chatbots, and AI-assisted research tools is transforming the ways in which information is created, accessed, evaluated, organized, and used. In this changing environment, library professionals are required to move beyond their traditional responsibilities of collection development, cataloguing, reference service, and information provision. They increasingly need to function as AI-literate educators, research-support specialists, information evaluators, digital scholarship partners, and ethical advisers. This article examines the changing role and responsibilities of library professionals in the Artificial Intelligence era from an Indian academic perspective. Particular attention is given to AI literacy, information literacy, research support, scholarly communication, copyright, privacy, academic integrity, digital inclusion, professional development, and institutional AI policy. The article also considers the relevance of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the IndiaAI Mission to academic library services. Recent Indian studies indicate growing interest in AI adoption among library professionals and users, but they also reveal challenges associated with skills, infrastructure, training, funding, ethics, and governance. The article argues that AI should be viewed not as a replacement for librarians but as a technology that can strengthen human-centered library services. The future of Indian academic librarianship will depend on responsible AI adoption, continuous professional learning, collaboration, and preservation of the core values of librarianship.