Artificial intelligence and library and information science education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping library and information science (LIS) education, transforming curricula, research practices, and professional roles. Traditionally centred on cataloguing, classification, and reference services, LIS education must now integrate competencies in digital curation, machine learning, data analytics, and intelligent information systems. AI-driven tools, including automated cataloguing platforms, adaptive learning environments, and plagiarism detection software, enhance efficiency, support personalised learning, and expand research capacities. Nevertheless, these innovations also present challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, algorithmic bias, and privacy concerns, which risk deepening inequalities between well-resourced and under-resourced institutions. The redefined role of librarians in the AI era demands both technological proficiency and a commitment to enduring professional values such as equity, intellectual freedom, and social justice. This paper explores the opportunities and challenges posed by AI in LIS education and argues that the sustainability of the profession depends on its ability to adapt strategically. The central question remains: will LIS education embrace AI as a catalyst for reinvention, or risk marginalisation in the evolving digital landscape?