Adoption Intention of Library Practitioners Towards the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Medical College Libraries of Pakistan

Abstract

The integration of AI into library systems heralds a sea change in global information management and service delivery. It remains largely unexamined in the context of Pakistan's medical college libraries. This study explores the adoption intention of library practitioners regarding AI integration in the libraries of Pakistani medical and dental colleges. Having taken a quantitative research design, this paper presents data from 148 library professionals working in various public and private medical institutions using an adapted, validated questionnaire. SPSS-27 was used for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, and overall, it indicated that librarians have shown positive attitudes and readiness toward the adoption of AI. Respondents showed strong agreement on AI being useful for enhancing user experience, operational efficiency, and alignment with the professional role of librarians. A high level of enthusiasm was reflected from mean values ranging from 3.5 to 4.05 for acquiring AI competencies and implementing AI-driven innovation. On the other side, practical issues such as limited opportunities for training, integration challenges, and affordability have been named as the most crucial issues. Findings indicate a proactive yet cautious outlook regarding institutional support, capacity building, and investment in infrastructure to assure successful AI implementation. This paper concludes that for effective, ethical, and sustainable AI integration, strengthening librarians' technical preparedness and policy frameworks will be crucial in Pakistan's medical libraries. It advocates for suitable training targeted at librarians, increased funding, and coordination among libraries, academia, and technology experts for accelerated AI readiness in the health sciences information sector.