Programme Draft - 5TH IFLA Artificial Intelligence Symposium 2025

5th IFLA Symposium on Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence and Robots Transforming Libraries

Draft Programme

Day 1: Monday, 16 June 2025

Day 2: Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Day 3: Wednesday, 18 June 2025

Day 4: Thursday, 19 June 2025

Day 5: Friday, 20 June 2025

Day 1: Monday, 16 June 2025

Day 2: Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Day 3: Wednesday, 18 June 2025

Day 4: Thursday, 19 June 2025

Day 5: Friday, 20 June 2025

Time	Programme Item
09:30 – 10:00	Registration
10:00 – 13:00	Midlands Tours
13:00 – 13:30	Lunch on tour (packed lunch provided by Hotel)
13:30 – 15:30	Midlands Tours continue
15:30 – 17:00	UKZN Pietermaritzburg campus Library, Special Collections and Archives tour
17:00	Return to Golden Horse Casino Hotel

Time	Programme Item
08:30 – 09:15	Registration and Tea.
Master of Ceremonies: Mr. Selvan Pillay, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
09:15 – 09:20	National Anthem.
09:20 – 09:25	Director of Library Services, UKZN to introduce DVC Research and Innovation, UKZN.
09:25 – 09:40	Welcome Address – Professor Anil Chuturgoon, DVC Research and Innovation, UKZN
09:40 – 09:45	Introduction – Dr. Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, Library Services Director, UKZN.
09:45 – 10:00	Address by Professor Cory Lampert, IFLA IT Section Chair.
10:00 – 10:15	Address by Charlie Molepo, LIASA President.
10:15 – 10:35	Tea Break
10:35 – 10:50	Address by Mr. A. Bellengere: UKZN Library Services Advisory Committee Chair.
10:50 – 11:15	Zulu Traditional Dance Group.
11:15 – 11:55	Guest Speaker: Mr. MUSA E. ZULU.
11:55 – 12:00	Robot Launch.
12:00 – 13:00	Lunch
13:00 – 15:00	Workshop Title: Human-Centered AI: Rethinking library services with empathy. Hosted by Santiago Villegas-Ceballos, Director, Medejean Cultura Digital, Colombia. Please note: Participants are required to bring their laptops as the second part of the workshop will be a hands-on practical session.
15:00 – 15:20	Tea Break
15:20 – 17:20	Workshop Continues: Human-Centered AI: Rethinking Library Services with Empathy. Hosted by: Mr. Santiago Villegas-Ceballos, Director, MedeJean – Cultural Intelligence, Colombia.
18:00 – 22:00	Cocktail Function hosted by His Worship the Mayor of Msunduzi Municipality, Councillor Mzimkhulu Thebolla.

Time	Programme Item
08:30 – 9:00	Registration and Tea
Programme Director: TBA
09:00 – 09:30	Keynote Address Speaker: Mr. Isak Van der Walt, University of Pretoria.

Session 1: AI in Academic Libraries and Advancement of the SDGs. Moderator: Ms. Nthabiseng Kotsokoane, University of the Free State.
09:30 – 09:50	Artificial Intelligence in Academic Libraries: Opportunities and Challenges – Mr. Abdul Kadir Salifu (Tamale College of Education, Ghana).
09:50 – 10:10	Usability of Artificial Intelligence for the provision of information services at an academic Library in South Africa – Ms. Phuti Concilia Rabatseta (North-West University, South Africa), Dr Mashilo Modiba ( University of South Africa,) and Prof Patrick Ngulube (University of South Africa).
10:10 – 10:30	Tea Break
10:30 – 10:50	Artificial Intelligence in Peru: Social Impact and Challenges in Education to Achieve SDG 4 and SDG 10 – Ms. Paola Morales by Paola Ascención-Morales and Ms. Grace Cortez- Ruvnoch (Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Peru).
10:50 – 11:10	The use of AI and Automation in Transforming Scholarly Communication Services and Leverage SDGs – Ms Rosina Ramokgola (University of Pretoria, South Africa).
11:10 – 11:50	Panel Discussion: AI and SDGs: Moderator: Professor Cory Lampert – University of Nevada and IFLA IT Section Chair. Panelists: Mr Isak van der Walt, University of Pretoria. Ms Paola Ascención-Morales, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Ms Rosina Ramokgola, University of Pretoria. Ms Lindy Nhlapo, University of South Africa.

Session 2: AI and LIS Education Moderator: Prof Ruth Hoskins – Teaching and Learning, College of Humanities, UKZN, South Africa.
11:50 – 12:10	Library education and the rise of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning – Dr Nthabiseng Mosala-Bryant (Mangosuthu University of Technology, South Africa)
12:10 – 12:30	From Know-What to Know-Why: Towards Integrating an AI Literacy Program into the LIS Curriculum – Dr Lynn Kleinveldt (University of the Fraser Valley, Canada)
12:30 – 12:50	Proposed Curriculum for Library and Information Science (LIS) education to meet the emerging Trends in Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Ms. Chitundu Precious Chisunka and Prof. Zawedde Nsibirwa (University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)
12:50 – 13:10	AI in Our Libraries: Transforming Knowledge, Access, and Innovation – Ms. Neesha Ramsumar (Universal Knowledge Software, South Africa)
13:10 – 14:00	Lunch

Session 3: Exhibitor Presentations Moderator: Dr Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, Library Services, UKZN.
14:00 – 14:50	Exhibitor Presentations
14:00 – 14:10	Universal Knowledge Software (UKS)
14:10 – 14:20	Elsevier
14:20 – 14:30	Clarivate
14:30 – 14:40	Sabinet
14:40 – 14:50	EBSCO

14:50 – 15:50	Panel Discussion: AI and Libraries Moderator: Prof Stephen Mutula, School of Management, IT and Governance, UKZN.
14:50 – 15:00	Don’t just rely on AI! Components that Make up Great Search and Results for Users – Ms Bronwyn Rassmann (EBSCO, South Africa).
15:00 – 15:20	Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Learning Analytics into Academic Libraries for resource optimisation in South Africa – Ms. Neli Tshabalala (Northwest University, South Africa) and Dr. Mashilo Modiba (University of South Africa, South Africa)
15:20 – 15:40	Moderated Discussion
15:40 – 15:50	Audience Q&A
15:50 – 16:10	Break

16:10 – 17:20	Lightning Talks Moderator: Ms. May Chang, University of Cincinnati and IFLA IT Section Mentor.
1. Artificial Intelligence in Library Services: Advancements, Challenges, and Bias in Large Language Models in South Africa – Ms. Karina Chetty- (UKZN, South Africa)
2. Case Study: AI – Meeting the Challenges, Creating Opportunities: The University of Edinburgh Experience – Dr. Elizabeth Williams (University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
3. Beyond Boolean: Student Perception of Generative AI-Assisted Literature Reviews – Mr. Sixolile Nkonyeni ( University of Johannesburg, South Africa) and Ms. Ivy Segoe (University of Johannesburg, South Africa)
4. Evaluating AI-Generated Prompts for Enhancing Library Services: A Comparative Study of ChatGPT and Copilot – Mr. Maropene Ramabina (North-West University, South Africa)
5. Black at The Ascots: Missing Histories and Contemporary Realities of Black People “Doing Nice Things” – Dr. Sireita Mullings (University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom) and Dr Elizabeth Williams (University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
6. Power Automate: Enhancing Workflows in Institutional Repository Management – Mr. Cecil Ntobeko Gasa and Ms. Neli Tshabalala (North-West University, South Africa)
Audience Q&A
17:20 – 17:40	Wrap-Up Discussion: IFLA IT Section, Ms. May Chang

Time	Programme Item
08:30 – 09:00	Registration and Tea
Programme Director: TBA
09:00 – 09:30	Keynote Address Speaker: Mr. Santiago Villegas-Ceballos, Director, MedeJean – Cultural Intelligence, Columbia.
Session 4: Ethics, Policies and Frameworks in AI Moderator: TBA
09:30 – 09:50	The Ethical Dimension of Information Society and the Quest for Open Science – Professor Stephen Mutula
09:50 – 10:10	Towards a Framework for Application of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Thomas Mofolo Library – Professor Wole Michael Olatokun (National University of Lesotho, Lesotho)
10:10 – 10:30	Tea Break
10:30 – 10:50	Ethical Use of AI in Higher Education: Student Perspectives from the University of the Western Cape – Mr Andrew E. Ennis (University of the Western Cape, South Africa).

10:50 – 11:50	Panel Discussion: Ethical Considerations in AI for Scholarly Moderator: TBA
10:50 – 11:00	Professor Donrich Thaldar, School of Law, UKZN
11:00 – 11:10	Professor Stephen Mutula, School of Management, IT and Governance, UKZN
11:10 – 11:20	Mr. Andrew E. Ennis, University of Western Cape, South Africa
11:20 – 11:40	Moderated Discussion
11:40 – 11:50	Audience Q&A

Session 5: AI Adoption and Skills Development in Libraries Moderator: TBA
11:50 – 12:10	Upskilling for the Next Generation of Research Support: AI, Robotics, and Digital Transformation at the forefront, the University of Pretoria Library case – Mr Chipa Maimela; Mr Lathola Mchunu and Mr Thulani Mahlangu (University of Pretoria, South Africa).
12:10 – 12:30	Artificial Intelligence as Enabler of Quality Services Delivery: A Call for Digital Skill Development Among Information Professionals in African Libraries – Dr Oyemike Victor Benson, Friday Iheke Udensi and Patience Chisa Njoku (Federal Polytechnic, Nikede- Owerri, Nigeria).
12:30 – 12:50	The Fifth Law of Ranganathan and Implications for Information Science in a Technologically-Driven World: Addressing the Anxieties of the Artificial Intelligence Era – Dr Emmanuel A. Oduagwu, Oyemike Victor Benson and Chiatu Matilda Oduagwu (Federal Polytechnic, Nikede-Owerri, Nigeria).
12:50 – 13:10	Contextual Hurdles in AI Adoption: Insights from Zimbabwean University Libraries – Professor Vusumuzi Maphosa (National University of Science and Technology), Rosemary Maturure (Africa University) and Notice Pasipamire (National University of Science and Technology), Zimbabwe.
13:10 – 13:30	Artificial Intelligence Tools in Data Visualization and Business Intelligence for Electronic Resources in Namibian Academic Libraries – Ms. Frieda Henok and Ms. Helena Nambili (University of Namibia, Namibia).
13:30 – 14:30	Lunch

Session 6: AI-Driven Library Services and User Engagement Moderator: TBA
14:30 – 14:50	Library Services in a digital age: Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Research Assistant in Library Services: The University of Johannesburg Experience – Mr. Omesh Jagarnath and Dr Gertruida Elizabeth du Toit (University of Johannesburg, South Africa).
14:50 – 15:10	Repurposing Library Service Delivery in the Digital Age: Harnessing AI Technologies for Enhanced User Experience – Ms. Monica Chatikobo and Dr Blessing Chiparausha (Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe).
15:10 – 15:30	Enhanced Services and User Engagement: Prompt Engineering for Librarians – Ms. Anelisa Mente-Mpako and Mr. Janusz Skarzynski and Mr. Sylvester Jeffries (University of the Western Cape, South Africa).

Session 7: AI-Driven Transformation in Libraries Moderator: TBA
15:30 – 15:50	Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Required to Improve Metadata Services in Libraries at Institutions of Higher Education in Namibia – Ms. Tissa Magano Titus and Dr Mashilo Modiba (University of South Africa).
15:50 – 16:10	Riding the Artificial Intelligence Avalanche: Academic Libraries Navigating Disruption – A Review – Ms Biziwe Tembe (Vaal University of Technology, South Africa); Ms. Nomonde Dos Santos (University of Mpumalanga Libraries) and Ms Sanele Kunene (Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa).
16:10 – 16:30	Transforming Education: AI Integration as a Catalyst for Innovation in School Libraries – Mr. Hosea Tokwe (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe).
16:30 – 16:50	Emerging Trends, Patterns, and Complexities Surrounding AI Integration in Southern African Academic Libraries: A Bibliometric Analysis – Mr. Lungile Mdanyana and Dr Samuel S Ncoyini (Walter Sisulu University, South Africa).
16:50 – 17:10	Smart Libraries: Prospects and Challenges of Using AI Applications in Libraries in African Countries – Vengesai Petronella Garande (Harare institute of Technology, Zimbabwe).
17:10 – 17:20	Wrap-up Discussion and Reflections: IFLA IT Section Chair: Professor Cory Lampert

18:30 – 21:30	South African Braai at Ascot Inn Bush Lodge

Time	Programme Item
08:30 – 09:00	Registration and Tea
Programme Director: TBA
Moderator: Ms. Nthabiseng Kotsokoane
09:00 – 10:00	Topic: Voices of Associations: Commitment to Responsible AI (Panel Discussion & Open Forum: LIASA, IFLA SSARD, AFLIA, IFLA IT Section and AI SIG)
10:00 – 10:30	Vision 2030: Presentation by Professor Cory Lampert and Ms. Lindy Nhlapo
10:30 – 11:00	Tea Break
11:00 – 11:20	Wrap-up Debriefing – Ms. May Chang
11:20 – 11:30	Participants Commitment to Responsible AI – Dr. Nonhlanhla Ngcobo
11:30 – 12:00	Closing Remarks & Vote of Thanks– Dr. Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, UKZN Library Services Director and Professor Cory Lampert, IFLA IT Section Chair
12:00	Lunch and Departure

Additional Activities:
13:00 – 17:00	Optional Tour: KwaMuhle Museum & Killie Campbell Library This is a limited-seats tour post the AI conference, taking you to Durban’s historical museums to learn about the rich history of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. Please note that this tour incurs a charge as it is not part of the AI conference package. The fee for this tour is ZAR500.