THE ADOPTION AND IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND BIG DATA TOOLS ON INFORMATION SERVICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIAN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

Abstract

The rapid emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics (BDA), machine learning, natural language processing, intelligent search systems, recommendation engines, and conversational agents is transforming how information is created, organized, accessed, evaluated, and delivered. Academic libraries are increasingly expected to provide intelligent, personalized, timely, accessible, and data-driven information services. In Nigeria, however, the adoption of these technologies remains uneven due to inadequate digital infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply, limited funding, shortage of specialized skills, weak institutional policies, data-quality challenges, and concerns about privacy, copyright, algorithmic bias, and professional displacement. This seminar examines the adoption and impact of AI and Big Data tools on information service delivery in Nigerian academic libraries. The study adopts a content analysis research design, drawing evidence from relevant scholarly journal articles, books, conference proceedings, research reports, policy documents, and other credible literature on AI, Big Data, and academic library services. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) Framework, and DeLone and McLean Information Systems Success Model provide the theoretical foundation. The review focuses on the applications, adoption patterns, benefits, challenges, and implications of AI and Big Data for information service delivery. Findings from the reviewed literature indicate that these technologies can significantly enhance information organization, retrieval, reference services, resource discovery, user experience, and evidence-based library management through applications such as chatbots, predictive analytics, automated cataloguing, personalized recommendations, and intelligent search systems. However, infrastructural deficiencies, inadequate funding, shortage of skilled professionals, ethical concerns, privacy issues, and limited institutional preparedness constrain effective adoption. The seminar concludes that AI and Big Data have considerable potential to transform Nigerian academic libraries but require strategic planning, institutional support, continuous professional training, adequate infrastructure, responsible data governance, and ethical regulatory frameworks. It recommends a sustainable, human-centred digital transformation strategy that integrates emerging technologies with librarians’ professional expertise to improve information service delivery and meet the changing needs of library users.