Embracing Generative AI in 2025: How Libraries Are Leading the Charge
By Courtney Mitchell. Photos by Melanie Busbee.
Navigating the Future: Generative AI in Libraries
By Courtney Mitchell. Photos by Melanie Busbee.
In the whirlwind of 2025, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has entrenched itself in our daily lives. From interactive chatbots on company websites to AI-driven features in search engine results, GenAI is redefining how we access and interact with information. Tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT are becoming everyday companions, crafting emails, summarizing documents, and even injecting humor into communications. Social media platforms are flooded with AI-generated art and music, while job listings increasingly demand proficiency in GenAI skills.
At its core, GenAI utilizes vast datasets to generate new content—be it text, images, or even code. It gained significant attention with the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, stirring both fascination and apprehension across various sectors.
A Pioneering Role for University Libraries
María R. Estorino, Vice Provost for University Libraries and University Librarian, recognized the transformative potential of GenAI during discussions with her colleagues at the University of Carolina. “GenAI is something that’s going to touch all of us,” she asserts. Her commitment to being part of the GenAI dialogue emphasizes the role libraries can play in guiding this technology’s ethical implementation and understanding.
Estorino draws parallels between GenAI and previous cultural technologies like writing and the internet. Just as students once visited libraries to learn about the web, they now need to understand GenAI’s implications. As Estorino put it, “We want people to understand not just how to find information, but how to evaluate it and how to use it.”
Building an AI-Ready Framework
Understanding the complexities of GenAI involves addressing critical questions: How can students employ GenAI ethically? How do we mitigate inherent biases in AI-generated information? The University Libraries have begun to craft a roadmap to explore these issues.
A dedicated team—comprising Michelle Cawley, Tim Shearer, Amanda Henley, and Cole Hargrove—has emerged to spearhead the Libraries’ AI initiatives. Their focus is on equipping library staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage effectively with AI technologies. Workshops have introduced over 700 participants to GenAI, fostering a community of informed professionals.
The libraries have also innovated in practical applications. For example, Henley’s Digital Research Services team has been using GenAI to assist art professors with descriptive text for historical cartoons, while the Health Sciences Library is exploring ways to streamline systematic reviews.
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter for GenAI
As GenAI continues to evolve, so too will its applications in academic environments. The Carolina community must grapple with its implications in real-time, and the Libraries are committed to maintaining responsiveness to these needs.
However, Estorino underscores the importance of addressing the environmental implications of these technologies. The data centers required for large-language models consume enormous amounts of energy and resources. Discussions are underway to mitigate these impacts, highlighting the need for sustainability in the development and application of AI.
Conclusion
The landscape of generative AI represents both an opportunity and a challenge. As libraries adapt to embrace these new technologies, they stand poised to be vital partners for students, faculty, and researchers navigating the complexities of GenAI. By fostering an environment of knowledge exchange and ethical engagement, University Libraries are not just keeping pace with the future—they are leading the way.
As Estorino concludes, “As our services and generative AI both mature, we’ll have more clarity about using these tools. We want to be the obvious campus partner for anyone who wants to engage with GenAI.”
In embracing this cultural technology, libraries are stepping into a pivotal role in shaping the future of information literacy and access. The journey ahead promises to be as exciting as it is unpredictable.