Library professionals at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi have explored the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academic and research environments at a session themed “AI in Libraries: Tools, Ethics, and Opportunities.”
The programme, part of the 11th KNUST Summer School held under the broader theme “Artificial Intelligence in Education,” brought together librarians and information professionals to examine how emerging technologies are reshaping research support, knowledge management, and library services.
The opening sessions were led by Dr. Henry Nunoo-Mensah, who delivered two interactive presentations.
His first, titled “AI Concepts: Tools and Ethical Considerations,” highlighted the importance of understanding AI fundamentals and the responsible integration of these technologies into academic libraries. The second session offered a practical workshop on prompt engineering: best practices for querying generative AI tools.
“Students and researchers already use AI daily, so if libraries are to remain relevant and supportive, we must adapt and learn to integrate these technologies effectively,” Dr. Nunoo-Mensah said.
He noted that AI presents both opportunities and ethical challenges. While AI tools can extend librarians’ expertise, enhance research assistance, and improve user experiences, they also raise concerns about privacy, bias, and intellectual property.
“Ethical risks will always exist because there is always the issue of privacy. But as librarians and information professionals, our role is to respond wisely to ensure that AI supports academic integrity, not undermines it,” he added.
Participants were introduced to a range of AI concepts and platforms every librarian should understand, including Semantic Scholar, Elicit, and AI-Assisted Research Support tools.
The session also explored practical examples of how libraries around the world are integrating AI into cataloguing, data management, and information retrieval.
A lively question-and-answer session was followed by a hands-on prompt engineering workshop, where participants practiced crafting clear, ethical, and purposeful prompts, skills essential for navigating AI systems effectively within library settings.
The final presentation was delivered by Dr. Osman Imoro, Assistant Librarian in the Information Technology and Research Support Department at the University of Cape Coast, on the topic “Responsible AI Practices and Library Applications.”
Dr. Imoro focused on how libraries can adopt AI responsibly while upholding transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.
“AI is not here to replace the librarian. It is here to empower us to enhance access to information, improve decision-making, and allow us to serve our patrons with greater precision and empathy,” he said.
He urged library professionals to approach AI implementation with caution and foresight, noting that responsible AI use requires clear ethical frameworks and continuous capacity building.
“As custodians of knowledge, we must ensure that our embrace of technology does not compromise our values. Responsible AI adoption must always be human-centred,” he stated.
For many attendees, the session was both practical and inspiring. Miss Marian Bemma, a Library Assistant at the College of Engineering Library, described the training as an eye-opener.
“It is exciting to see how AI can make our work more efficient while still upholding the core values of librarianship,” she said.
The session reinforced KNUST’s ongoing commitment to digital transformation and ethical innovation, ensuring that its libraries remain adaptive, inclusive, and central to the university’s academic and research excellence.
