Global Research Trends in Artificial Intelligence and Academic Libraries: A Scientometric Analysis (2015–2025)

GLOBAL RESEARCH TRENDS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: A SCIENTOMETRIC ANALYSIS (2015–2025) G A NARASIMHA RAJU , M.A.,M.A.,MLISc.,B.Ed.,UGC NET,PGDCA Research Scholar & Secondary Grade Teacher, Dept. of School Educaton, Govt. of A.P. ISSN: 3108-1053 (VOLUME-2, ISSUE-1) Received: January 25, 2026 Revised: February 15, 2026 Accepted: February 20, 2026 Published: March 30, 2026 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20579444 URL: https://svlnsgdc.ac.in//userfiles/file/V2I1/SVLNSV2I10019.pdf ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the way information is created, organized, accessed, and disseminated across various sectors. As one of the most influential technological developments of the twenty-first century, AI has significantly impacted education, healthcare, business, governance, and information management. Academic libraries, traditionally regarded as repositories of knowledge and information, are increasingly adopting AI-driven technologies to enhance efficiency, improve user experiences, and support research and learning activities. Artificial Intelligence encompasses a range of technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, expert systems, computer vision, recommender systems, and generative AI tools. These technologies are being integrated into library services to facilitate intelligent information retrieval, automated cataloguing, digital preservation, virtual reference services, collection management, and personalized user support. The emergence of advanced AI applications, particularly generative AI systems such as ChatGPT, has further accelerated discussions regarding the future role of academic libraries and information professionals. The growing adoption of AI has generated considerable scholarly interest within the field of Library and Information Science (LIS). Researchers have examined the opportunities, challenges, ethical implications, and practical applications of AI in library environments. Consequently, the volume of scientific literature on AI and academic libraries has increased significantly over the past decade. Understanding the growth patterns, research trends, influential contributors, and emerging themes within this domain is essential for assessing the evolution of knowledge and identifying future research directions. Scientometric analysis has emerged as an effective method for evaluating research performance and mapping the development of scientific fields. By employing quantitative techniques to analyze publication and citation data, scientometric studies provide valuable insights into research productivity, collaboration patterns, intellectual structures, and thematic evolution. Against this backdrop, the present study investigates global research trends in Artificial Intelligence and Academic Libraries through a scientometric analysis of publications indexed in the Scopus database during 2015–2025. The study seeks to identify major research trends, leading contributors, influential publications, and emerging areas of inquiry, thereby contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the evolving relationship between AI and academic libraries. REVIEW OF LITERATURE The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into library and information services has attracted increasing scholarly attention over the past decade. Early studies focused on the potential of AI to automate routine library operations and improve information retrieval systems. Cox, Pinfield, and Rutter (2019) observed that emerging AI technologies were beginning to transform academic libraries by enhancing service efficiency and supporting data-driven decision-making. Wheatley and Hervieux (2019) examined librarians' perceptions of Artificial Intelligence and reported growing interest in AI-based applications such as chatbots, machine learning, and automated reference services. Their study highlighted both opportunities and concerns regarding the future role of library professionals in an AI-driven environment. Asemi and Asemi (2018) emphasized the potential of AI technologies in digital libraries, particularly in areas such as intelligent indexing, metadata generation, and information retrieval. Similarly, Gul and Bano (2019) argued that AI can significantly improve user services through personalized recommendations and advanced search capabilities. The emergence of generative AI technologies has further accelerated research in this field. Lund and Wang (2023) noted that tools such as ChatGPT have created new opportunities for academic libraries in information assistance, research support, and user engagement. However, they also identified concerns relating to misinformation, ethical issues, and information reliability. Recent studies have increasingly focused on AI literacy and professional preparedness among librarians. Okolie et al. (2024) observed that while AI adoption is expanding rapidly, many library professionals require additional training and digital competencies to effectively utilize emerging technologies. Similarly, Zhang and Liu (2024) emphasized the importance of developing AI-related skills within Library and Information Science education. The growing volume of literature has also stimulated bibliometric and scientometric investigations. Several studies have attempted to map research trends in Artificial Intelligence, digital libraries, and information management. However, most existing analyses focus either on AI in general or on digital transformation in libraries, with relatively limited attention devoted specifically to global research trends concerning Artificial Intelligence and Academic Libraries. Overall, the literature demonstrates the increasing significance of AI in transforming library services, enhancing user experiences, and supporting knowledge management. Nevertheless, a comprehensive scientometric assessment of global research output in this area remains limited, thereby necessitating further investigation. RESEARCH GAP Existing studies have extensively discussed the applications, opportunities, and challenges of Artificial Intelligence in library and information services. Recent research has particularly focused on chatbots, machine learning, information retrieval systems, and generative AI technologies in academic library environments. Although several bibliometric studies have examined Artificial Intelligence and digital libraries separately, relatively few studies have systematically analyzed global research trends specifically at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Academic Libraries. Furthermore, limited attention has been given to identifying publication growth patterns, leading contributors, influential journals, collaborative networks, citation impact, and emerging research themes within this rapidly evolving field. The absence of a comprehensive scientometric assessment restricts our understanding of the intellectual structure and developmental trajectory of research in this domain. Therefore, the present study seeks to fill this gap by conducting a scientometric analysis of publications indexed in the Scopus database between 2015 and 2025, thereby providing a comprehensive overview of global research trends in Artificial Intelligence and Academic Libraries. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The present study aims to examine global research trends in Artificial Intelligence and Academic Libraries through a scientometric analysis of publications indexed in the Scopus database during the period 2015–2025. The specific objectives are: To analyze the annual growth of research publications on Artificial Intelligence and Academic Libraries. To identify the most productive authors, institutions, and countries contributing to the field. To examine the citation impact and influence of publications in this research domain. To identify the leading journals publishing research on Artificial Intelligence and Academic Libraries. To explore emerging research themes and intellectual trends through keyword analysis. To suggest future directions for research in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Academic Libraries. METHODOLOGY The present study adopts a scientometric research design to analyze global research trends in Artificial Intelligence and Academic Libraries. Scientometrics is a quantitative method used to evaluate scientific literature and measure research performance through publication and citation analysis. Data Source The study is based on bibliographic data retrieved from the Scopus database, one of the largest and most widely used multidisciplinary citation databases. Scopus was selected due to its extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and scholarly publications. Search Strategy Relevant publications were retrieved using keywords such as “Artificial Intelligence,” “Academic Libraries,” “Machine Learning,” “Chatbots,” “Digital Libraries,” and related terms. The search was restricted to publications indexed in Scopus during the period 2015–2025. Inclusion Criteria The study includes journal articles, conference papers, review articles, and book chapters related to Artificial Intelligence and Academic Libraries. Publications unrelated to library and information science applications were excluded from the analysis. Scientometric Indicators The study employs a range of scientometric indicators to assess the growth, productivity, impact, and thematic development of research on Artificial Intelligence and Academic Libraries. These indicators include annual publication growth to examine the evolution of research output over time, citation analysis to evaluate the scholarly impact of publications, and author productivity analysis to identify the most influential contributors in the field. The study also analyzes leading institutions and country-wise research productivity to understand patterns of institutio