Document Type
Article
Citation
Onwubiko, E.C (2026). Non-Negotiable Responsibilities of Librarians despite the Presence of Generative-AI Powered Chatbots: An Overview
Abstract
The presence of AI-Chatbots as linguistic models of Generative AI is one that has sent cold in the spines of librarians for the fear of the unknown. Against this backdrop, it is received with mixed feelings. To some librarians, it poses threats to their traditional responsibilities hence the fear of losing their jobs. This paper conceptualizes the place of generative-AI Chatbots in libraries and their limitations, identifying some non-negotiable responsibilities of librarians regardless of the emergence of AI-Chatbots as well as clearing some doubts as expressed by librarians by reconciling the impacts of Chatbot and how librarians can leverage the technology to enhance their services to users. To achieve this, it applied interpretive content and document analysis method using SPAR-4-SLR model aimed at conducting an all-embracing review and analysis of collated literature from different databases through which, a holistic review and synthesizing of collated literature from different databases which include Web of Science and Scopus were carried out. From the reviewed literature, it identified among other things that exploring the role of Generative-AI-powered Chatbots enhances the provision of instant customer support, answering queries and assisting in information retrieval as well as that Chatbot or no Chabot, librarians are expected to perform their traditional and evolving roles in this contemporary global digital ecosystem. The paper, deduced that Chatbot is rather a tool with many opportunities rather than threats as thought by some librarians and that librarians should tap into it and brace up for the technological tsunami that is ravaging the entire global digital ecosystem. The suggestion is that in the face of emerging technologies like AI Chatbots, librarians should leverage the opportunities it creates and partner it to make the best out of it with a view to enhancing their services.
