Here's how you can get ready for the integration of artificial intelligence in library services.

Programming libraries specialized in artificial intelligence (AI) are essential tools to democratize access to AI technologies and facilitate their understanding. This applies not only to development professionals but especially to those professionals/students who begin to develop and better understand AI systems and for whom these libraries allow them to abstract from the complexity and multiple technical details involved in the design. of AI systems.

To integrate AI into library services effectively, it is imperative to grasp its fundamental principles. Artificial intelligence encompasses machine or software capabilities to undertake tasks traditionally reliant on human intellect, encompassing learning, decision-making, and problem-solving. Within library contexts, AI applications can revolutionize inventory management, tailor reading recommendations to user preferences, and provide prompt responses to informational queries. The initial stride involves acquainting oneself with key AI concepts such as machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics, envisaged to permeate library operations.

AI searching and indexing capabilities are one of the ways I have seen libraries & museums make information easier for users to find using AI. Leveraging AI document intelligence, translation services, elastic search, and generative AI capabilities could be major value adds to users who are coming to the library to accelerate their ability to find information that is not freely available & they could translate the information into their native language.

Artificial intelligence (AI) project management is a discipline that focuses on the planning, organization, and coordination of the resources and activities necessary to develop AI solutions. One of the great challenges is the subsequent integration of AI models/projects in the operating environments, which can be from a component of a larger application, provide functionality accessible via web service, constitute a complete application that massively processes data, or simply process streaming data, for example... All of these scenarios require managing the life cycle of the project and, of course, considering the necessary capabilities for reliable and optimal execution. By the way, like any other software development...

AI services offer a learning platform coriented towards learning by doing where users can start experimenting with AI models without needing to understand all the computational details from the beginning. This allows them to gradually advance towards more complex concepts and in parallel to consolidate and develop new technical skills... and why not... innovation and creativity. A clear example could be the OpenAI GPTs, unimaginable without these capabilities that we mentioned.

Even if you have great proficiency with AI tools, an important part of your skill development will involve helping patrons and other stakeholders (your colleagues, library trustees, funding sources) understand how AI will transform their use of and expectations for library services. In addition to developing skills to improve your digital literacy, you will need to find ways to implement AI tools and innovations in a manner that is not threatening to staff or overwhelming for patrons who are less-technologically proficient. Training and skill development will continue over a period of time, rather than as a single experience. Although some people see AI as a way to reduce staff, those who work and volunteer there need to be proficient.

Similar to the way that many public and academic libraries had to develop internet use policies in the late 1990s and early 2000s, adding new suites of AI services will require a reappraisal of current policies. For example, if AI technology is used to manage incoming telephone calls, policies need to be in place to ensure that algorithms protect the confidentiality of callers. Policies should also address how to handle situations where patrons have concerns about interacting with AI for services and want to talk with a "real human." Since most AI tools are purchased or leased rather than developed in-house, library staff should participate in conversations about their acquisition and use, and advocate for data security of these systems.

AI tools offer great promise to improve library services and increase efficiencies. Even if they have this potential, the message may be lost if patrons and staff are left in the dark. Change is often stressful, and if AI technology suddenly appears overnight with no education, training, or information, even the people who will benefit the most will be uncomfortable. Feedback should occur at all steps of the process. Long before the AI tools are implemented (and, especially if using them becomes mandatory), library leadership should communicate with staff, develop educational tools, and schedule information sessions to help others become comfortable. AI services cannot be plugged in and forgotten. They need regular feedback from users.

An important part of introducing new technology to library services is planning for the inevitable: At some point, it will need to be replaced. When online catalogs began to replace card catalogs decades ago, search options were faster, but still limited. In most cases, keyword searching came years later. Likewise, today's AI tools may need ongoing support and maintenance. At some point, a different program or tool will probably replace them. Long before that becomes mandatory, library managers need to anticipate these changes, plan for their funding and implementation, and plan for how to educate users of the differences between the "old" and "new" systems. Planning should happen early to ensure no last-minute interruptions.

Para me preparar para a integra??o da inteligência artificial nos servi?os da biblioteca, adotaria uma abordagem proativa e centrada no usuário, por exemplo: 1. Buscaria entender as necessidades e expectativas dos usuários, identificando áreas onde a inteligência artificial poderia agregar valor aos servi?os bibliotecários; 2. Me educaria sobre as diferentes aplica??es da inteligência artificial no setor de bibliotecas, explorando casos de uso reais e estudando as melhores práticas.