Artificial Intelligence in PhD education: New perspectives for research libraries

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) will drastically influence and change the working methods of scholars and researchers. This paper presents findings from a broad, national survey and a workshop focusing on the challenges and opportunities the advancement of AI poses for PhD candidates, seen from the perspective of library staff working with research support in a number of research libraries in Norway. The paper looks into how research libraries could adapt to the development, addresses the roles of various stakeholders and proposes measures regarding the support of PhD candidates in the responsible use of AI-based tools. Based on insights from the survey and the workshop, the paper also shows what is lacking in the libraries' research support services concerning the understanding and utilisation of AI-based tools. The study reveals a degree of uncertainty among librarians about their role in the AI academic nexus. For the development of competences of teaching staff in academic libraries, the paper recommends to integrate AI-related topics into existing educational resources and to create arenas for sharing experiences and knowledge with relevant partners both within and outside the university.