Intelligent workspaces: how AI tools are changing service models and workforce skills in academic libraries
Majed Mohammed Abusharhah, Nazia SalauddinPurpose
This study investigates how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming service models, workflows, and workforce roles in academic libraries in Saudi Arabia. It examines the extent to which AI adoption influences service delivery, professional responsibilities, staff competencies, organizational readiness, and the development of intelligent library workspaces.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a qualitative descriptive design based on twenty semi-structured interviews with librarians, information technology staff, and administrative personnel working in academic libraries in Saudi Arabia. Participants were purposively selected based on their direct experience with AI-supported tools and technology-enabled library services. The interview data were analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke's framework to identify patterns relating to AI-tool adoption, service transformation, workforce competencies, staff readiness, and implementation challenges.
Findings
The findings reveal four interrelated dimensions of AI-driven transformation in academic libraries. First, AI tools such as chatbots, intelligent discovery systems, automated search applications, and plagiarism-detection tools are increasingly embedded in routine library operations. Second, AI is contributing to more automated, personalized, responsive, and digitally mediated service models. Third, workforce roles are shifting toward supervisory, analytical, instructional, and technology-mediated responsibilities, increasing the need for competencies in AI literacy, digital skills, data management, system oversight, and evaluation of AI-generated outputs. Fourth, successful implementation is constrained by training gaps, uneven staff readiness, infrastructural and system-integration limitations, concerns about AI reliability, and ethical issues involving privacy, bias, misinformation, and data governance. The findings emphasize the importance of continuous professional development, reliable technological infrastructure, human oversight, and clear institutional governance mechanisms.
Originality/value
This study provides context-specific empirical evidence on the simultaneous transformation of library services, workflows, workforce competencies, and organizational readiness associated with AI adoption in Saudi Arabian academic libraries. By integrating the perspectives of librarians, IT personnel, and administrative staff, it extends existing research beyond individual AI applications and conceptualizes AI adoption as a broader socio-technical and workforce transformation. The study also offers practical guidance for library managers on AI competency development, responsible human–AI collaboration, organizational readiness, and ethical governance.