The University of KwaZulu-Natal Library Service, IFLA Information Technology Section and IFLA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Special Interest Group are thrilled to announce the 5th IFLA Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, under the theme “ Artificial Intelligence and Robots Transforming Libraries: Opportunities and Challenges .” Hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal Library Services, this symposium will take place at the Golden Horse Casino Hotel in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, from 16 to 20 June 2025.
This Symposium aims to explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on libraries and the evolving role of librarians in this digital age with a focus on the Southern Africa region.
Theme: Artificial Intelligence and Robots Transforming Libraries: Opportunities and Challenges.
Submission Deadline: 14 February 2025.
Symposium Overview
The IFLA IT section promotes the sharing of knowledge and best practices in implementing IT solutions across various library environments. Each year, the IFLA IT section conducts symposiums in different locations to enhance global outreach. IFLA AI-SIG focuses specifically on integrating AI technologies in the library and information science (LIS) field. The collaboration between the University of KwaZulu-Natal Library Services, IFLA IT section, and IFLA AI SIG will empower and advance Library and AI research in the Southern Africa region.
AI impacts all aspects of our daily lives with technologies like generative AI having an impact on all aspects of the information landscape. The world around us is evolving at an unprecedented pace, increasing access to knowledge and creating new informational and ethical challenges. AI and related technological development is reshaping the landscape of libraries and the information professions. Libraries worldwide have both an opportunity and are faced with the challenge to envision how libraries and librarianship can evolve, benefit, and empower the profession to best serve their communities. This symposium will be a chance to engagement with these tools while also focusing on how we can advocate for responsible use of AI, promote information literacy, and build staff capacity.
By collaborating with the IFLA IT section and AI SIG, this Symposium will examine different uses of AI in libraries; focusing on the Southern Africa region, libraries’ best practices in using generative AI and other AI models, and ethical guidelines for utilizing AI in libraries and information studies.
For inquiries regarding abstract submission please contact ailib@ukzn.ac.za.
We look forward to receiving your submissions and to your participation in 5th IFLA Symposium on Artificial Intelligence.