Exploring AI in libraries: insights

I HAD the good fortune to attend the 5th IFLA Symposium on Artificial Intelligence (AI) hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal recently.

- MAY CHANG

This event is part of the International Federation of Library Association (IFLA) IT Section’s ongoing series of regional symposiums and conferences on information and communication technology (ICT) related topics, such as robotics and AI, that impact libraries and information services.

As a former chair and now mentor in the IT Section, I actively collaborate on organising these in-person events to enable closer-to-home access and increasing opportunities for participation, professional development, and networking.

This event was also timely as South Africa assumed the G20 presidency from December 2024 through to November 2025. The G20’s Task Force Three on AI, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development was established as part of South Africa’s G20 presidency to address AI governance and data management challenges (https://tinyurl.com/3jxx-evdy).

The objectives include fostering AI equity and ensuring that the AI equity gap does not become a new digital divide. It seeks to collaborate with all sectors of society, to shape Al’s future in a way that promotes long-term development and sovereignty.

The Local Organising Committee led by Dr Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, UKZN Library Director, delivered a successful and memorable event that was supported by the mayor of Msunduzi Municipality and had generous sponsorship from several library vendors and suppliers as well as the UKZN Press.