Challenges and prospects of implementing artificial intelligence in the library environment in Nigeria: Perception of personnel of academic libraries in Cross River State

The thrust of this study was to find out the challenges and prospects of implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the library environment in Nigeria: Perception of personnel of academic libraries in Cross River State. Two research questions were used to guide the study. Literature review was done based on the variables of the study. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The researchers employed purposive sampling technique to select eighty (80) professional librarians from three tertiary institution libraries in Cross River State, and this number was used as the population and sample of the study. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study showed various challenges militating against the implementation of AI in the library environment such as lack of financial resources, limited technical infrastructure, lack of AI expertise among librarians etc.; the findings also showed the prospects associated with the implementation of AI in the library environment to include boost in research productivity among faculty members, constant and timely accessibility to information, among others. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that academic libraries in Nigeria should prioritize training and capacity building programmes for library staff to bridge the AI skills gap. This can include workshops, courses, and access to online resources on AI and its applications in libraries.