Expanding the Role of Information Literacy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Authors

  • Simone Bernard University of Guyana
  • Clyden Harris University of Guyana
  • Kezia Bacchus University of Guyana

Keywords:

artificial intelligence, information literacy, higher education, academic librarian

Abstract

The use of artificial intelligence has become increasingly common in higher education. While artificial intelligence has significant benefits for the educational sphere, academic librarians worry about its use. These concerns do not justify banning the technology altogether, but they must be addressed. As more students gravitate toward this technology, institutions must facilitate proper, responsible use.

Improper use of artificial intelligence in academia can create academic integrity issues – including plagiarism and information misuse. However, librarians can minimize this problem by introducing ethical use of artificial intelligence into information literacy training. Librarians may reduce unethical AI use by teaching students how to authenticate sources, analyse data, and identify bias and misinformation. By focusing on information literacy, university libraries can help students stay abreast with the changing technological landscape while preserving academic integrity.

This research sets out to investigate major roles librarians can play to support the use of artificial intelligence in a higher education setting. A content analysis of academic literature supports this qualitative study. The thematic analysis shows that artificial intelligence has greatly impacted academia, particularly information access, suggesting that librarians should help students develop the skills needed to navigate this new era. Technology has changed education, prompting a critical review of information literacy in the digital age. Universities cannot hope to prevent its use altogether but must focus on utilizing skilled librarians to improve information literacy and boost student outcomes.

Author Biographies

Simone Bernard, University of Guyana

Dr Simone Bernard is an academic librarian at the University of Guyana with 30 years of experience. She holds a Doctor of Education degree in Leadership and Innovation, and degrees in Public Management, Development Studies, and Library and Information Science. Her research interests include information literacy and ICTs for libraries.

Clyden Harris, University of Guyana

Clyden Harris is an academic librarian with over 25 years of experience. She holds a Master's in Library Science from City, University of London, and a Bachelor's in International Relations from the University of Guyana. She is known for her expertise in Information Literacy and integrating e-technology into academic settings.

Kezia Bacchus, University of Guyana

Kezia Bacchus is an academic librarian at the University of Guyana with over nine years of experience. She holds a Master’s in Information and Library Science from Robert Gordon University and degrees in Development Studies and International Relations. Her passion lies in preservation and digitization of special collections and cataloguing.

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Published

2025-02-28

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025): Caribbean Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies

Section

Articles