Category Archives: AI Tools

AI Use in Education: Teach Academic Integrity by Design, Not Detection.

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I have watched academic integrity policies evolve for years, and I will say this plainly. In the age of AI, trying to catch students using tools is a losing battle. I have seen detection software fail, policies confuse students, and honest learners punished for unclear rules. What works is not surveillance. What works is clarity, design, and trust.

When AI entered classrooms, many institutions reacted with fear. Ban it. Block it. Police it. But students did not stop using AI. They simply stopped talking about it. That silence is where misconduct grows. I have learned, through practice and discussion with educators, that integrity survives when we shift the focus from hiding AI use to documenting and reflecting on it.

Everything starts with clarity.

The first responsibility lies with the syllabus. If AI rules are vague, students will interpret them in their favour. If they are invisible, students will ignore them. You need to make AI use explicit and visible. State clearly what is acceptable and what crosses the line. Idea generation, refining search terms, improving language, these are legitimate supports. Submitting AI-generated analysis as original thinking is not. Ambiguity is not neutral. It creates ethical grey zones where students stumble.

Next comes disclosure. I strongly believe AI use should be declared, not denied. A short note is enough. Something as simple as, “Used AI to summarise five abstracts and rewrote the final synthesis myself.” This mirrors what journals and funding agencies are beginning to demand. Transparency normalises ethical behaviour. It also removes the fear students feel when they use tools quietly and wonder if they will be accused later.

We must also teach students what AI is for. AI is a research assistant, not a writer. I always emphasise this distinction. Show students how to use AI to generate keywords from a research question. Show them how to compare abstracts across databases. Ask AI to surface counterarguments to a draft thesis. Use it to check clarity and grammar at the final stage. These uses strengthen thinking rather than replace it. When students see AI as support, not substitution, integrity follows naturally.

Assessment design matters even more. Thinking and writing must be separated. If language quality carries most of the marks, AI will dominate. Instead, grade problem framing, source selection, and argument structure independently from expression. AI still struggles with original reasoning and contextual judgement. By valuing these elements, you protect academic integrity without banning tools outright.

Process-based assessment is another quiet but powerful shift. Ask for search logs, prompt histories, draft versions, and short reflections. Ask students where AI helped and where it failed. This changes what you assess. You stop judging only the final output and start evaluating learning itself. From my experience, students become more reflective and more honest when they know their process matters.

Citation discipline must be taught early and repeatedly. AI can fabricate references, blend sources, and paraphrase without attribution. Students often trust it blindly. They should not. Train them to verify every citation using Google Scholar or Scopus. Make verification a habit, not a warning. Once students understand how easily errors slip in, they become more cautious and responsible.

Assignment design is the final safeguard. Generic prompts invite generic AI responses. Local data, recent events, personal reflection linked to theory, or comparison of two specific papers make shallow AI output obvious. These designs do not fight AI. They outgrow it.

And then, you must say this clearly and consistently. Using AI without acknowledgement is misconduct. Using AI transparently and critically is a scholarly practice. Students understand rules when we speak plainly and apply them consistently.

The goal is simple. Students should learn how to think with AI, not outsource thinking to it. If we design teaching and assessment with this goal in mind, integrity does not weaken. It matures.

Ethical Use and Disclosure of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Academic Research Writing

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Ethical Use and Disclosure of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Academic Research Writing: Evidence and Guidance from Library and Information Science

Abstract:
The use of generative artificial intelligence tools in academic research writing has become widespread across disciplines, including library and information science. While these tools are increasingly employed for drafting, language refinement, and structural assistance, disclosure practices remain inconsistent. Non-disclosure of AI use poses greater ethical and reputational risks than transparent acknowledgement. Drawing on recent published evidence from library and information science journals, this post demonstrates that ethical disclosure does not hinder publication. Further, it proposes a practical checklist to guide responsible AI use and supports the integration of AI disclosure literacy into LIS education and research practice.

Keywords:
Artificial intelligence, academic writing, research ethics, disclosure, library and information science, generative AI

Introduction:
Generative artificial intelligence tools have rapidly entered academic writing workflows. Their presence is now routine rather than exceptional. Researchers across career stages use AI-based systems to refine language, reorganise arguments, summarise notes, and support early drafting. In library and information science, a discipline grounded in information ethics and scholarly integrity, this shift raises urgent questions about responsible use and disclosure.

The central ethical challenge is not the use of AI itself, but the reluctance to acknowledge such use. A significant number of researchers employ AI tools without disclosure due to uncertainty about ethical boundaries or fear of manuscript rejection. This hesitation overlooks the greater long-term risk associated with post-publication scrutiny and potential retraction.

The Real Risk Lies After Publication:
Academic publishing has entered an era of heightened transparency and accountability. Publishers increasingly deploy detection mechanisms, reviewers are more alert to stylistic patterns associated with generative models, and post-publication review has intensified.

Retraction notices are public, permanent, and professionally damaging. They affect an author’s credibility, institutional trust, and future opportunities. In contrast, manuscript rejection is a routine academic outcome that allows revision and improvement. From both ethical and pragmatic perspectives, non-disclosure of AI use represents a higher-risk decision.

Evidence from Published Library and Information Science Research:
Concerns that disclosure leads to rejection are not supported by recent evidence. Meaningful examples from 2025 demonstrate transparent AI acknowledgement in reputable LIS publications.

Del Castillo and Kelly acknowledged the use of QuillBot for grammar, syntax, and language refinement, and Google Gemini for title formulation, in a paper published in College and Research Libraries [1].


McCrary declared the use of generative AI for initial drafting and language polishing in The Journal of Academic Librarianship, while retaining full responsibility for content accuracy and originality [2].


Islam and Guangwei reported the use of ChatGPT for data visualisation support and summary drafting in SAGE Open, explicitly accepting authorial responsibility [3].

Sebastian disclosed the use of ChatGPT-4o for drafting and refining ideas in an American Library Association publication, emphasising full human control over arguments and conclusions [4].

Aljazi acknowledged the use of ChatGPT for language refinement and summarisation in Information and Knowledge Management, in accordance with journal guidelines [5].

Beyond LIS, You et al. reported the use of generative AI for language improvement in Frontiers in Digital Health, reflecting broader acceptance of transparent disclosure across disciplines [6].

These cases share common features. AI tools are named. Tasks are clearly defined. Intellectual accountability remains with the authors. Disclosure did not prevent publication.

Ethical Use Does Not Require Avoidance: Ethical engagement with AI does not require abstention. It requires boundaries. Generative AI tools are unsuitable for disciplinary judgement, methodological reasoning, and interpretive analysis. These remain human responsibilities.

AI tools perform effectively in surface-level tasks such as grammar correction, clarity improvement, and structural suggestions. Ethical violations occur when AI is used to fabricate data, invent citations, generate unverified claims, or replace scholarly reasoning. In library and information science, where trust and attribution are foundational, such misuse directly contradicts professional values.

Disclosure as Professional Safeguard: Transparent disclosure demonstrates academic integrity, aligns with journal policies, and protects authors from allegations of misconduct. Many journals now explicitly request disclosure of AI use. Where policies are unclear, transparency remains the safer course. Silence is increasingly interpreted as concealment.

Reading and Interpreting Journal Policies: Failure to consult instructions to authors is a common cause of ethical lapses. Researchers must examine journal policies carefully, focusing on ethics statements, authorship criteria, and AI-related guidance. Key questions include permitted uses, disclosure format, and placement of acknowledgements. Policy literacy is now an essential research skill.

A Practical Ethical Checklist for Researchers:
The following checklist reflects current LIS norms and publishing expectations:

  • Conduct intellectual framing and argumentation independently
  • Use AI strictly as a support tool
  • Never use AI to invent data, results, or interpretations
  • Never allow AI to fabricate citations or references
  • Verify every reference and factual claim manually
  • Limit AI use to language clarity and structural assistance
  • Review and revise all AI-assisted text
  • Retain full responsibility for originality and accuracy
  • Read and follow journal author guidelines carefully
  • Disclose AI tools, purpose, and stage of use explicitly
  • Prefer rejection over undisclosed AI use and later retraction

Writing an Effective AI Acknowledgement:
An AI acknowledgement should be concise and factual. It should name the tool, specify the task, and indicate the stage of use. It should clearly state that the author retains responsibility for the final content. The published examples cited above [1]–[5] provide effective models.

Implications for LIS Education and Practice:

Library and information science educators and professionals play a central role in shaping ethical research behaviour. AI literacy education must extend beyond tool operation to include disclosure norms, policy interpretation, and risk awareness. Embedding these issues into research methods courses and scholarly communication training will strengthen ethical practice across the discipline.

Conclusion: Generative AI tools are now embedded in academic writing workflows. The ethical question is no longer whether researchers use them, but whether they do so transparently and responsibly. Disclosure protects scholarly credibility. Concealment exposes researchers to long-term risk.

References:

[1] M. S. Del Castillo and H. Y. Kelly, “Can AI Become an Information Literacy Ally? A Survey of Library Instructor Approaches to Teaching ChatGPT,” College & Research Libraries, vol. 86, no. 2, 2025.
Available: https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/article/view/26938/34834

[2] Q. D. McCrary, “Are we ghosts in the machine? AI, agency, and the future of libraries,” The Journal of Academic Librarianship, vol. 51, no. 3, 2025.
Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0099133325001776

[3] M. N. Islam and H. Guangwei, “Trends and Patterns of Artificial Intelligence Research in Libraries,” SAGE Open, vol. 15, no. 1, 2025.
Available: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21582440251327528

[4] J. K. Sebastian, “Reframing Information-Seeking in the Age of Generative AI,” American Library Association, 2025.
Available: https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2025-03/ReframingInformation-SeekingintheAgeofGenerativeAI.pdf

[5] Y. S. Aljazi, “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Library and Information Science: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Prospects,” Information and Knowledge Management, vol. 15, no. 2, 2025.
Available: https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/IKM/article/download/63557/65692

[6] C. You et al., “Alter egos alter engagement: perspective-taking can improve disclosure quantity and depth to AI chatbots in promoting mental wellbeing,” Frontiers in Digital Health, vol. 7, 2025.
Available: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1655860/full

Why AI Needs Librarians More Than Ever

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One fine morning, a young lady called me. Her voice carried anxiety. I assumed it was the usual exam pressure. I told her honestly that I was not a psychologist and might not help her deal with anxiety. She stopped me immediately.

“No sir,” she said. “It is not about the exam.”

She told me she was in her final year of Library and Information Science. She had been watching my videos where I explain how artificial intelligence makes a researcher’s life easier. Faster discovery. Instant summaries. Easy access to information. Then she asked a question that stayed with me long after the call ended.

“If researchers get information so easily,” she asked, “who will come to libraries? And if nobody comes, who will hire librarians like me?”

That single question captures the fear many students, early-career professionals, and even senior librarians are quietly carrying today. It deserves a clear, practical answer.

To understand this properly, we need to slow down and separate hype from reality.

Artificial intelligence is powerful. It can summarise books, answer questions, and even draft research papers. It speaks confidently. That confidence often misleads us into believing the answers are correct. This brings us to the first and most important lesson.

AI gives answers.
It does not give judgement.

An AI system does not know whether information is biased, incomplete, outdated, or ethically problematic. It predicts text based on patterns in data. If the output sounds fluent, the system considers its job done. Truth, context, and consequence are not part of its thinking.

Judgement still belongs to humans. And judgement has always been at the core of librarianship.

This leads to the second lesson, one many people underestimate.

Traditional library skills are not outdated.
They are AI-era skills.

Take cataloguing. Many students see it as mechanical and irrelevant. In reality, cataloguing is structured thinking. It is about describing information so others can find it, understand it, and trust it. Today, AI systems depend on exactly this kind of structure.

AI models need clear documentation.
They need clean metadata.
They need transparency about data sources and limitations.

Without these, AI becomes a black box. Librarians have been preventing black boxes for decades.

The same applies to information retrieval. Long before AI existed, librarians taught users how to search effectively, refine queries, evaluate sources, and understand context. Modern AI search works well only when someone understands relevance and authority. That skill has not disappeared. It has become more valuable.

Then there is ethics.

Libraries have always stood for access, equity, privacy, and intellectual freedom. These are not optional values in the AI age. They are essential safeguards. AI systems amplify bias, exclude voices, and compromise privacy if left unchecked. Librarians already know how to question systems, not worship them.

This is why an important shift is taking place.

Librarians are no longer only users of AI.
They are becoming the human infrastructure behind AI.

They ensure systems are transparent.
They ensure systems are fair.
They ensure systems serve people, not mislead them.

This is not a future scenario. It is already happening.

A 2025 Clarivate report shows that 67 percent of libraries are already exploring or actively using AI. Libraries now operate in a research ecosystem where AI tools scan thousands of papers, extract data, generate cited answers, and map research connections visually.

These tools save time. They also confuse users. Researchers often do not know where answers come from, what was excluded, or what assumptions were made. Someone must explain this clearly.

That responsibility naturally falls on librarians.

Behind the scenes, AI is also reshaping library operations. Metadata creation, cataloguing, and collection management are increasingly automated. A system can generate records. A model can catalogue a book from an image. This does not remove librarians from the system. It removes repetitive labour.

What replaces it is higher-value work.

Advanced research support.
Teaching AI and information literacy.
Community programmes.
Policy guidance and ethical review.

Another fear needs addressing.

Many people assume AI will reduce the importance of libraries. In practice, it often expands access.

In India, mobile AI labs travel to remote villages. They do not replace libraries. They work alongside traditional village libraries. Technology moves, but trust remains local. Libraries become bridges between advanced tools and real communities.

At the same time, we must speak honestly about AI’s weaknesses.

One term everyone must understand is AI hallucination. This occurs when a system produces fluent but false information. There is no intent to deceive. Accuracy is sacrificed for smooth language.

The consequences are serious. Researchers have wasted hours chasing references that never existed, created entirely by AI. Proving that a source does not exist takes time and energy away from meaningful work. This feeds what many experts now call the slop problem, where low-quality AI content floods the internet and academic publishing. Trust erodes. Reviewers burn out. Good research gets buried.

So the practical question becomes unavoidable.

Why does AI still need librarians?

Because someone must teach critical evaluation.
Because someone must audit bias.
Because someone must protect privacy.
Because someone must identify fake citations.
Because someone must uphold intellectual freedom.

AI does not understand these responsibilities. Librarians do.

This brings us to the transformation of the profession.

The librarian is no longer a gatekeeper of information.
The librarian is a supervisor of AI systems.

The librarian is no longer only a reference desk expert.
The librarian is an AI literacy educator.

The librarian is no longer only a collection manager.
The librarian is an ethical evaluator of everyday tools.

The most accurate description of this role is information architect. Someone who designs, audits, and oversees how knowledge is created, accessed, and trusted.

This transformation requires investment. Not only in technology, but in people. The AI-ready workforce will be built, not bought. It will emerge through reskilling, confidence building, and empowering professionals who already understand information deeply.

When I think back to that anxious student, I no longer see a profession in danger. I see a profession at a turning point.

AI delivers answers faster than ever.
But society still needs someone to teach how to question those answers.

That responsibility has always belonged to librarians.

And it still does.

Click and Catalogue Books: Your AI-Powered Library Cataloguing Assistant

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Artificial Intelligence is transforming every profession, and librarianship is no exception. With Custom GPTs in ChatGPT, you can now create specialized AI assistants that perform targeted professional tasks. A Custom GPT is not a generic chatbot—it’s a tuned version of ChatGPT designed with specific instructions, reference data, and workflows to carry out specialized jobs efficiently.

I’ve built one such assistant, called Click and Catalogue Books, specifically for librarians and cataloguers. It automates the complete process of book cataloguing—from classification to MARC record generation—by using the power of AI.

What Makes Click and Catalogue Books Unique

This Custom GPT replicates the intellectual process of a professional cataloguer in seconds. Here’s what it does step by step:

  • Identifies bibliographic data from photos of the Title page and Verso page.
  • Classifies the book using the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system. It analyses the subject, determines the correct class number, and provides it with precision.
  • Generates a Cutter number to represent the main entry (usually the author).
  • Synthesizes the call number by combining the DDC class number and the Cutter number—an operation that typically takes a trained cataloguer several minutes. Here, AI completes it instantly.
  • Assigns subject headings based on the Sears List of Subject Headings, ensuring standardization and consistency in subject access.
  • Displays metadata in AACR II format, including author, title, edition, publication details, physical description, and subject entries.
  • Generates a complete MARC record, ready for download and direct upload to your Library OPAC.

What once took hours of manual analysis and data entry is now handled in seconds with remarkable accuracy.

Traditional cataloguing is a time-consuming process that requires specialized knowledge of AACR II, DDC, Sears List, and MARC standards. Many small or rural libraries lack trained cataloguers or cannot afford expensive automation software.

Click and Catalogue Books bridges this gap by providing:

  • Instant cataloguing from mobile devices
  • Reduced cataloguing backlog for new acquisitions
  • Accurate and standardized metadata
  • Interoperability with OPAC and library management systems
  • Support for non-technical staff in rural and small institutional setups

The GPT acts like a virtual cataloguer—fast, reliable, and accessible from anywhere.

How to Use Click and Catalogue Books

  1. Open the ChatGPT app on your mobile phone.
  2. Tap Explore GPTs and select Click and Catalogue Books or go directly to:
    https://chatgpt.com/g/g-6909a9715c808191862570c20599a968-click-and-catalogue-books
  3. Take clear photos of the Title page and Verso page of the book.
  4. Submit them to the GPT.
  5. In a few seconds, you’ll receive:
  • DDC class number
  • Cutter number
  • Synthesized call number
  • Standard subject headings (Sears)
  • AACR II metadata display
  • Complete MARC record ready for download

You can then download the MARC file and upload it directly into your Library OPAC or cataloguing module.

A Step Toward AI-Integrated Librarianship

This Custom GPT is more than a tool—it’s a practical example of how AI can assist librarians in core professional tasks. It merges cataloguing standards, bibliographic intelligence, and natural language understanding into one seamless workflow.

Click and Catalogue Books shows that cataloguing no longer has to be a slow, manual process. AI now performs hours of intellectual work in seconds, with consistency and accuracy.

AI and Libraries in October 2025: Key Developments, Impacts, and Trends

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When I look back at how libraries have evolved through 2025, it feels as if artificial intelligence has quietly rewritten the script of librarianship. The year began with cautious experimentation, but by October, AI had become deeply embedded in daily operations from cataloging to digital preservation. [1]. 

Libraries today are not merely using AI; they are living with it. Academic and public institutions alike are automating repetitive workflows, freeing librarians to engage more deeply with research and pedagogy. AI chatbots now answer common queries instantly, while smart systems recommend books based on nuanced user behavior [2], [3]. Some libraries even deploy small robots to navigate aisles, performing inventory or retrieval tasks with quiet precision [2]. Behind these visible changes lies something subtler—the shift toward algorithmic decision-making in information services, where metadata creation, classification, and even preservation strategies are driven by learning models [4]. 

Of course, all this progress comes with questions. As one recent SAGE report revealed, only 7% of academic libraries are using AI tools regularly, even though over 60% are exploring adoption strategies [5]. This gap reflects both hesitation and hunger.  Frameworks like the ‘ACRL’s AI Competencies for Academic Library Workers’ [6] have become so timely. They emphasize three things , understanding the logic of AI systems, applying them ethically, and translating their potential into academic value. No wonder librarians are now seen as mediators between human inquiry and algorithmic intelligence [7]. 

What’s fascinating is how fast generative AI has entered the scholarly mainstream. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot are no longer novelties—they are part of everyday academic life [1]. I’ve seen libraries incorporate AI literacy into information literacy courses, teaching students not just how to ‘use’ AI but how to ‘question’ it. The University of Michigan’s AI pedagogy model and Europe’s LIBRA.I. network exemplify this shift toward guided experimentation [8]. In parallel, the idea of ‘machine-readable scholarship’ is emerging. AI can interpret and link research dynamically [9]. 

This convergence of AI, libraries, and academia reminds me that technology alone doesn’t define progress but our response to it does. By collaborating with researchers and technologists, libraries are helping shape the ethical contours of AI use. Whether it’s enabling responsible data governance or supporting cross-disciplinary projects [10], the librarian’s role is evolving from custodian to catalyst. 

In the end, AI hasn’t replaced the librarian rather it has reimagined the profession. The library remains, as ever, a place of trust, but now it hums with the quiet intelligence of algorithms working behind the scenes. As we move toward 2026, the task is not just to deploy AI, but to ensure that it continues to serve the human spirit of curiosity and learning.  

—

*References* 

[1] Liblime, “How Libraries Are Leading the AI Revolution,” Oct. 2025. Available: https://liblime.com/2025/10/04/how-libraries-are-leading-the-ai-revolution/ 

[2] IJSAT, “Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Academic Libraries in African Universities: A Scoping Review,” Sep. 2025. Available: https://www.ijsat.org/research-paper.php?id=8003 

[3] JST, “Survey to Measure the Effectiveness of Utilizing Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis in Improving Knowledge Management in Omani Information Institutions and Libraries,” Apr. 2025. Available: https://journals.ust.edu/index.php/JST/article/view/2822 

[4] JKG, “Digital Preservation Strategies in Academic Libraries: Ensuring Long-Term Access to Scholarly Resources,” Apr. 2025. Available: https://jkg.ub.ac.id/index.php/jkg/article/view/31 

[5] SAGE Publishing, “New Technology from Sage Report Explores Librarian Leadership in the Age of AI,” May 2025. Available: https://www.sagepub.com/explore-our-content/press-office/press-releases/2025/05/20/new-technology-from-sage-report-explores-librarian-leadership-in-the-age-of-ai 

[6] ALA, “2025-03-05 Draft: AI Competencies for Academic Library Workers,” Mar. 2025. Available: https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2025-03/AI_Competencies_Draft.pdf 

[7] SAGE Journals, “Exploring the utilization of generative AI by librarians in higher education across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: Trends in adoption, innovative applications, and emerging challenges,” Oct. 2025. Available: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09610006251372630 

[8] Emerald Publishing, “Technology trends for libraries in the AI era,” 2025. Available: https://www.emerald.com/lhtn/article/42/2/6/1268684/Technology-trends-for-libraries-in-the-AI-era 

[9] Hybridhorizons, “How AI Will Transform Libraries & Librarianship 2025-2035?,” Mar. 2025. Available: https://hybridhorizons.substack.com/p/how-ai-will-transform-libraries-and 

[10] WebJunction, “What’s on the horizon for AI and public libraries?,” Oct. 2025. Available: https://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/public-libraries-ai-future.html

From Stacks to Algorithms: Librarianship’s New Chapter

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I remember when the word artificial intelligence first started appearing in library journals, it felt distant, almost experimental, as if it belonged more to labs than to our reading rooms. But just yesterday I came across a note from the American Library Association — they have now published guidance for school librarians on how to use AI in their everyday work [1]. No wonder, because librarians today are juggling so many roles: teachers, mentors, administrators, sometimes even technologists. The ALA’s advice is not about replacing them, but about helping them — streamlining tasks, improving communication, and yes, teaching students how to use AI ethically (plagiarism, citations, authorship, all those tricky parts).

By the way, it is not just policy notes. At Illinois, the journal Library Trends has just completed a two-part special issue on generative AI and libraries [2]. I skimmed through some of the abstracts: studies on how students use ChatGPT, how faculty perceive these tools, case studies of AI literacy instruction. This is serious scholarship, freely available, meant to guide practice. It reminds me of my early days in the profession, when such research gave us the language to argue for budgets and staff — and sometimes, just the courage to try new things.

And then, in Prague, librarians and researchers gathered under the banner of an “AI Knowledge Café,” more than 650 participants thinking together about the place of libraries in national AI strategies [3]. Imagine that: librarians not just adopting AI tools quietly, but sitting at the policy table, influencing how society will treat knowledge, ethics, and inclusion in the age of algorithms.

When I read all this, I feel both hopeful and cautious. Hopeful, because libraries are no longer seen as passive — we are active shapers of how AI unfolds. Cautious, because guidance and journals and cafés will mean little without real resources, training, and recognition, especially in countries like ours where libraries carry such a heavy heritage burden across many languages.

Still, I like to think that this is the beginning of a new chapter. Librarianship in the AI age is not a threat to our role, but a chance to re-articulate it. And in my heart, I feel grateful to be part of this transition — from catalog cards to chatbots, from dusty stacks to digital literacy.

References

[1] American Library Association. AI Guidance for School Librarians. Published September 2025. https://www.ala.org/news/2025/09/ai-guidance-school-librarians

[2] iSchool at Illinois. Library Trends Completes Two-Part Series on AI and Libraries. Published September 2025. https://ischool.illinois.edu/news-events/news/2025/09/library-trends-completes-two-part-series-ai-and-libraries

[3] ALA / IFLA. Libraries Towards a National AI Strategy (AI Knowledge Café). September 2025. https://connect.ala.org/acrl/discussion/libraries-towards-a-national-ai-strategy

Why India Needs Libraries at the Heart of Its National AI Strategy

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping how societies learn, work, and connect. As India builds its national AI strategy, there is an urgent need to ask: who will ensure that AI development remains ethical, inclusive, and accessible to every citizen? One powerful answer lies in our libraries.

Think about it. For decades, libraries have been safe spaces where anyone, regardless of background, could walk in and learn. Whether it was a student preparing for exams, a farmer checking market information, or a job seeker updating their resume, libraries have been bridges to opportunity. In the age of AI, they can once again be the guiding hand that helps people navigate complexity and change.

  • Guardians of Ethics and Accountability
    Libraries can champion transparency, fairness, and human oversight in AI systems adopted by public institutions.
  • Protectors of Privacy and Intellectual Freedom
    Library principles of confidentiality and equitable access align perfectly with India’s need for citizen-centric AI governance.
  • AI and Digital Literacy Hubs
    Just as libraries once taught computer literacy, they can now lead community workshops, training, and resources on AI literacy.
  • Upskilling the Workforce
    Librarians must be trained to use AI in cataloguing, research support, and community services—ensuring the profession adapts and thrives.
  • Bridging the Digital Divide
    Rural and underserved communities can access AI tools through public libraries, preventing exclusion from India’s digital transformation.
  • Policy Participation
    Libraries should have a seat at the table in national AI governance—bringing the voices of ordinary citizens into policy-making.

A Call to Action for Librarians in India

Librarians must step forward to:

  • Advocate for their role in national AI consultations.
  • Develop pilot projects that showcase responsible AI use in library services.
  • Build partnerships with universities, civil society, and government bodies to amplify their impact.

A Call to Action for the Government of India

To truly build an AI for All strategy, the Government of India should:

  • Recognise libraries as strategic partners in AI education and governance.
  • Fund training and digital infrastructure for libraries.
  • Mandate representation of library associations in AI policy consultations.

Final Word

AI is like electricity—it will power every sector of life in the coming years. Libraries are the transformers that can make this power safe, reliable, and accessible to all. If India wants an inclusive AI future, it must weave libraries into its national AI strategy.

Librarians: this is your moment to lead.

Government: this is your chance to listen.

How AI Tools Revolutionize Academic Research: Top 10 Free Tools to Boost Your Workflow

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming academic research by streamlining repetitive tasks, uncovering insights, and enhancing productivity across every stage of the research process. From conducting literature reviews to analyzing data and polishing manuscripts, AI tools save time and improve efficiency. In this blog post, we explore how AI tools can elevate your research and highlight 10 free AI tools (with free plans) that support various research stages, complete with descriptions and links to get you started.

How AI Tools Enhance Academic Research

AI tools empower researchers by automating and optimizing key research tasks. Here’s how they help at different stages:

  • Literature Review: AI tools search vast academic databases, summarize papers, and identify connections between studies, making it easier to stay updated and find relevant sources.
  • Data Collection: Extract data from PDFs, texts, or online sources quickly, reducing manual effort.
  • Data Analysis: Analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and create visualizations with minimal coding.
  • Academic Writing: Improve clarity, grammar, and academic tone while generating outlines or paraphrasing content.
  • Citation Management: Automate citation formatting and reference organization across styles like APA or MLA.
  • Collaboration: Organize research materials, visualize citation networks, and share findings with teams.
  • Translation: Break language barriers by translating papers in real-time for global accessibility.

Now, let’s dive into the top 10 AI tools with free plans that can supercharge your academic research.

Top 10 Free AI Tools for Academic Research

1. Semantic Scholar

  • What It Does: A powerful AI-driven search engine for accessing over 200 million academic papers. It generates concise summaries, recommends related studies, and highlights connections between papers, perfect for literature reviews.
  • Free Plan: Completely free with unlimited searches and access to open-access papers (paywalled papers depend on your subscriptions).
  • Best For: Finding and summarizing relevant research quickly.
  • Website: semanticscholar.org

2. Elicit

  • What It Does: An AI research assistant that searches over 125 million papers, automates literature reviews, summarizes findings, and extracts data. It’s ideal for empirical research but less suited for theoretical studies.
  • Free Plan: Free access to search, summarization, and data extraction with no strict limits (verify results due to ~90% accuracy).
  • Best For: Streamlining literature reviews and data extraction.
  • Website: elicit.com

3. Research Rabbit

  • What It Does: A free tool that creates visual citation networks, suggests related papers, and organizes research collections. It’s great for exploring research connections and collaborating with peers.
  • Free Plan: Fully free with unlimited collections and paper additions (note: the interface may take some getting used to).
  • Best For: Organizing research and discovering related studies.
  • Website: researchrabbit.ai

4. Zotero

  • What It Does: A reference management tool that uses AI to suggest papers, organize citations, and generate bibliographies in various formats. It integrates seamlessly with word processors.
  • Free Plan: Free with unlimited reference storage; cloud syncing limited to 300 MB (expandable with paid plans).
  • Best For: Managing citations and references effortlessly.
  • Website: zotero.org

5. Scholarcy

  • What It Does: Summarizes research papers, articles, and book chapters into flashcards, highlighting key findings, limitations, and comparisons. It cuts screening time by up to 70%.
  • Free Plan: Summarize up to three documents per day; includes a browser extension for open-access and subscription-based papers.
  • Best For: Quickly digesting complex papers.
  • Website: scholarcy.com

6. ChatPDF

  • What It Does: Upload PDFs and interact with them via a chatbot to extract information or summarize content. It’s a time-saver for understanding dense research papers.
  • Free Plan: Upload two PDFs per day (up to 120 pages each) and ask 20 questions daily.
  • Best For: Extracting specific data from PDFs.
  • Website: chatpdf.com

7. Paperpal

  • What It Does: An AI writing assistant tailored for academia, offering grammar checks, paraphrasing, citation generation, and journal submission checks. It also supports literature searches and PDF analysis.
  • Free Plan: Basic grammar and style suggestions, 10 AI generations daily, and limited research features.
  • Best For: Polishing academic writing and translation.
  • Website: paperpal.com

8. NotebookLM

  • What It Does: A Google-powered tool that lets you upload up to 50 documents per notebook and generates summaries, audio overviews, or study guides. It’s perfect for organizing research materials.
  • Free Plan: Free with up to 100 notebooks, 50 sources per notebook, and daily limits on queries and audio summaries.
  • Best For: Summarizing and organizing research notes.
  • Website: notebooklm.google

9. AI2 Paperfinder

  • What It Does: Developed by the Allen Institute, this tool provides access to 8 million full-text papers and 108 million abstracts. It ranks search results by relevancy and exports citations in BibTeX or other formats.
  • Free Plan: Fully free with no limits on searches or citation exports.
  • Best For: Comprehensive literature searches and citation exports.
  • Website: paperfinder.allenai.org

10. DeepSeek

  • What It Does: A free large language model that answers research queries and synthesizes information. While not as advanced as premium models, it’s a solid option for general research assistance.
  • Free Plan: Fully free with no specific query limits (performance may vary for complex tasks).
  • Best For: General research queries on a budget.
  • Website: deepseek.com

Tips for Using AI Tools in Research

  • Verify Outputs: Tools like Elicit and ChatPDF may have errors (~90% accuracy for Elicit). Always cross-check results with original sources.
  • Combine Tools: Free plans have limitations (e.g., Scholarcy’s three-document cap). Use multiple tools to cover all research needs.
  • Maintain Integrity: AI should enhance, not replace, your critical thinking. Use these tools to boost productivity while ensuring originality.
  • Explore Paid Plans: If you hit free plan limits, consider paid upgrades for heavy use or advanced features.

Conclusion

AI tools are game-changers for academic research, helping you save time, uncover insights, and produce high-quality work. The 10 free tools listed above cover everything from literature reviews to citation management, making them accessible for students, researchers, and academics on a budget. Start exploring these tools today to streamline your research process and focus on what matters most—advancing knowledge.

Have a favorite AI research tool or need help with a specific research task? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

What Would S. R. Ranganathan Do in the Age of Generative AI if He Were Alive?

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S.R. Ranganathan, the pioneering Indian librarian and mathematician, is best known for his Five Laws of Library Science and the development of the Colon Classification system. His work emphasised organising knowledge for accessibility, relevance, and user-centricity. If he were alive today, his approach to generative AI would likely be shaped by his knowledge organisation principles, focus on serving users, and innovative mindset. While it’s impossible to know exactly what he would have done, we can make informed speculations based on his philosophy and contributions.

  1. Applying the Five Laws to Generative AI
    Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science (1931)—”Books are for use,” “Every reader his/her book,” “Every book its reader,” “Save the time of the reader,” and “The library is a growing organism“—could be adapted to generative AI systems, which are increasingly used to organize and generate knowledge. Here’s how he might have approached generative AI:
    – Books are for use: Ranganathan would likely advocate for generative AI to be designed with practical utility in mind, ensuring it serves real-world needs, such as answering queries, generating content, or solving problems efficiently. He might push for AI interfaces that are intuitive and accessible to all users, much like a library’s catalog.
    – Every reader his/her book: He would likely emphasise personalisation in AI systems, ensuring that generative AI delivers tailored responses to diverse users. For example, he might explore how AI could adapt outputs to different languages, cultural contexts, or knowledge levels, aligning with his goal of meeting individual user needs.
    – Every book its reader: Ranganathan might focus on making AI-generated content discoverable and relevant, developing classification systems or metadata frameworks to organise AI outputs so users can easily find what they need. He could propose taxonomies for AI-generated text, images, or code to enhance retrieval.
    – Save the time of the reader: He would likely prioritise efficiency, advocating for AI systems that provide accurate, concise, and relevant outputs quickly. He might critique models that produce verbose or irrelevant responses and push for prompt engineering techniques to streamline interactions.
    – The library is a growing organism: Ranganathan would recognise generative AI as a dynamic, evolving system. He might encourage continuous updates to AI models, integrating new data and user feedback to keep them relevant, much like a library evolves with new books and technologies.
  2. Developing Classification Systems for AI Outputs
    Ranganathan’s Colon Classification system was a faceted, flexible approach to organising knowledge, allowing for complex relationships between subjects. He might apply this to generative AI by:
    – Creating a taxonomy for AI-generated content: He could develop a faceted classification system to categorize outputs like text, images, or code based on attributes such as topic, format, intent, or audience. For example, a generated article could be tagged with facets like “subject: science,” “tone: formal,” or “purpose: education.”
    – Improving information retrieval: Ranganathan might work on algorithms to enhance the discoverability of AI-generated content, ensuring users can navigate vast outputs efficiently. He could integrate his classification principles into AI search systems, making them more precise and context-aware.
    – Addressing ethical concerns: He would likely consider the ethical implications of AI-generated content, such as misinformation or bias, and propose frameworks to tag or filter outputs for reliability and fairness, aligning with his user-centric philosophy.
  3. Advancing AI for Libraries and Knowledge Management
    As a librarian, Ranganathan would likely focus on how generative AI could enhance library services and knowledge management:
    – AI-powered library assistants: He might advocate for AI chatbots to assist patrons in finding resources, answering queries, or recommending materials, saving librarians’ time and improving user experience. For example, an AI could use natural language processing to interpret complex research queries and suggest relevant books or articles.
    – Automating cataloguing: Ranganathan could explore generative AI for automating metadata creation or cataloguing, using models to summarise texts, extract keywords, or classify resources according to his Colon Classification system. This would align with his goal of saving time and improving access.
    – Preserving cultural knowledge: Given his work in India, he might use AI to digitise and generate summaries of regional texts, manuscripts, or oral traditions, making them accessible globally while preserving cultural context.
  4. Ethical and Social Considerations
    Ranganathan’s user-focused philosophy suggests he would be concerned with the ethical and societal impacts of generative AI, as noted in sources discussing AI’s risks like misinformation and job displacement. He might:
    – Promote equitable access: He would likely advocate for open-source AI models or affordable tools to ensure generative AI benefits diverse populations, not just affluent institutions or countries.
    – Address misinformation: Ranganathan might develop guidelines for libraries to educate users about AI-generated content, helping them distinguish reliable outputs from “hallucinations” or deepfakes.
    – Mitigate job displacement: While recognising AI’s potential to automate tasks, he might propose training programs for librarians to adapt to AI-driven workflows, ensuring human expertise remains central.
  5. Innovating with Generative AI
    Ranganathan was an innovator, so he might experiment with generative AI to push boundaries in knowledge organisation:
    – AI for creative knowledge synthesis: He could use AI to generate new insights by synthesising existing literature, creating summaries or interdisciplinary connections that human researchers might overlook.
    – AI in education: Drawing from his focus on accessibility, he might develop AI tools to generate educational content tailored to different learning styles, supporting students and educators.
    – Collaborative AI systems: He might propose collaborative platforms where AI and librarians work together, with AI handling data-intensive tasks and humans providing critical judgment, aligning with his belief in human-centric systems.
  6. Critiquing and Shaping AI Development
    Ranganathan’s analytical mindset suggests he would critically examine generative AI’s limitations, such as data dependence, bias, and lack of true creativity. He might:
    – Push for transparency: Advocate for clear documentation of AI training data and processes, ensuring users understand how outputs are generated.
    – Enhance AI explainability: Develop frameworks to make AI decisions more interpretable, helping users trust and verify generated content.
    – Focus on sustainability: Given the environmental impact of AI training, he might explore energy-efficient models or advocate for sustainable practices in AI development.

Conclusion
If S.R. Ranganathan were alive today, he would likely embrace generative AI as a tool to enhance knowledge organisation and accessibility while critically addressing its ethical and practical challenges. He would adapt his Five Laws to AI, develop classification systems for AI outputs, and leverage AI to improve library services and education. His focus would remain on serving users, ensuring equity, and advancing knowledge management in an AI-driven world. His innovative spirit and user-centric philosophy would make him a key figure in shaping generative AI’s role in libraries and beyond.

Chat with PDF files: AI Tools to Ask Questions to PDFs for Summaries and Insights

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In today’s digital world, we are inundated with information, much of it locked away in PDF documents. Whether you are a student combing through research papers, a professional analysing detailed reports, or someone simply trying to extract crucial information from a large PDF, you’ve likely felt overwhelmed. But what if I told you that you could actually chat with those PDFs? Thanks to recent advancements in AI, this once far-fetched idea is now a reality.

The Power of AI in Document Analysis

AI-powered tools are transforming how we engage with PDFs, allowing us to swiftly access information, summarise content, and even query documents directly. These tools combine several cutting-edge technologies:

  1. Text Extraction: Utilising Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for scanned documents and PDF parsing libraries for digital PDFs.
  2. Natural Language Processing (NLP): AI analyses the extracted text to grasp content, structure, and context.
  3. Entity Recognition: Identifies specific entities such as names, dates, and organisations.
  4. Chat Integration: AI generates responses based on user queries and the document’s content. Top AI Tools for PDF Interaction

Let’s explore some of the leading tools in this field:

  1. ChatPDF

ChatPDF allows you to upload any PDF and ask questions about its content. Ideal for textbooks, research papers, or business documents, it quickly generates answers based on the data within the PDF. It’s also available as a plugin within ChatGPT, making it even more accessible.

  1. PDF.ai

PDF.ai specialises in multi-language PDF interaction, making it perfect for users working across different languages. It enables dynamic conversations with documents, breaking down language barriers in document analysis.

  1. GPT-PDF by Humata

Built on GPT technology, this tool offers deep interaction with complex files like reports or whitepapers. It’s particularly useful for users needing to analyse and generate insights from technical documents.

  1. Ask Your PDF

Ask Your PDF stands out with its powerful semantic search capability, excelling at analysing multiple documents simultaneously. This makes it an excellent choice for comprehensive research projects that require synthesising information from various sources.

  1. Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant

Integrated into the widely used Adobe Acrobat, this AI assistant enhances document interaction while retaining Acrobat’s traditional editing capabilities. It’s a great option for users already familiar with the Adobe ecosystem.

  1. PDFgear (Open-Source Option)

For those who prefer open-source solutions, PDFgear offers notable advantages:

  • Its open-source framework ensures transparency and customisation.
  • It supports interactions with multiple PDF files in a single session.
  • It is compatible with various AI backends like OpenAI and Anthropic.
  • Local deployment options provide greater privacy and security.
  • Available through both a web interface and command-line option. The Future of Document Interaction

These AI-powered PDF tools are just the beginning. As natural language processing and machine learning technologies continue to evolve, we can expect even more advanced document interaction capabilities. Imagine AI assistants that not only answer questions but also provide personalised insights, generate summaries tailored to your needs, or even create new documents based on the information contained within your PDFs.

Conclusion

The days of tediously scrolling through lengthy PDFs or relying solely on basic search functions are behind us. With these AI tools, we are entering an era where documents become interactive, responsive resources. Whether you’re a student, researcher, professional, or anyone who frequently works with PDFs, these tools can significantly streamline your workflow, making it easier than ever to extract and analyse information.

Have you tried any of these PDF tools? What’s been your experience? The world of AI-assisted document analysis is rapidly evolving, and it’s an exciting time to explore these new capabilities. As AI continues to push the boundaries of document interaction, the future promises even more innovative and powerful tools.