INFORMATION LITERACY IN THE ERA OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Abstract [English]

The concepts of information literacy and digital literacy have been intrinsically linked since the advent of digital information technologies. With the increasing abundance of digital channels, access to information has become more seamless and widespread. The rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has further amplified this reality, heightening the need for enhanced information literacy skills, particularly those related to digital environments. As AI continues to influence how individuals access, assess, and generate content, its impact on the meaning and scope of information and media literacy becomes increasingly profound. This study explores the pivotal role of AI-powered research tools in enhancing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills and digital literacy among academic professionals and students. Through sophisticated search algorithms, predictive analytics, and automated data processing, AI tools are streamlining the research process, improving both efficiency and precision in academic inquiry. The paper also addresses the ethical challenges posed by AI, such as data privacy, user autonomy, and algorithmic biases. It critically examines recent developments in AI and their potential consequences, particularly in terms of information practices. A central theme of this analysis is how AI’s growing autonomy and adaptability challenge traditional notions of human agency in the information ecosystem.
In addition, the article reviews existing digital literacy frameworks, evaluating their definitions of information and media literacy in light of AI's evolving capabilities. The analysis reveals that these frameworks have been slow to incorporate the rapid advancements in AI technology and the wide-reaching consequences it entails. As academic libraries stand at the forefront of this technological transformation, understanding and leveraging AI’s potential to reshape scholarly discourse and education is essential. This paper aims to guide librarians in navigating the digitalization of information creation, retrieval, and use. Librarians are increasingly called upon to provide clear guidelines for the ethical and effective use of generative AI within their institutions. The implications of AI-driven digital information sources are discussed in the context of librarians' roles, emphasizing the need for proactive leadership in this new digital age.