Former university chief urges caution over AI use in libraries

Libraries should adopt artificial intelligence cautiously because excessive reliance on the technology could affect creativity and thinking, B.D. Kumbar, former vice-chancellor of Davangere University, said at a librarians’ conference in Dharwad on Sunday. Mr.

Kumbar, a former professor of library science, said AI could benefit libraries and improve services, but librarians should balance its advantages against its possible effects on human creativity. He was speaking at the valedictory session of the State Librarians’ Conference at Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha. He also raised concern over vacancies in the State’s libraries.

He said the Karnatak University library had once had about 35 librarians, while only two were currently serving there. Mr. Kumbar urged the government to recognise the role of libraries in shaping children’s futures and to develop them at all levels.

Former MP I.G. Sanadi said teachers, libraries and librarians had contributed to the development of civilisations. He argued that knowledge gained by reading books remained in the mind longer than information accessed through mobile phones and the internet.

Mr. Sanadi called for model libraries at the taluk level using legislators’ grants and well-equipped libraries with librarians in every gram panchayat. He urged the association to create awareness and press the government on the issue.

The conference resolved to fill librarian posts, strengthen school, rural and public libraries, and amend the Karnataka Public Libraries Act, 1965. The Karnataka State Library Association said it would hold a protest in Bengaluru on October 5 to demand recruitment.