Technology from Sage has released the fourth report in its Librarian Futures series, titled Librarian Leadership on the AI Frontier. Based on global surveys involving over 1,000 students and 300 librarians, the report investigates how artificial intelligence is changing academic research and explores the potential for librarians to take on a leadership role in guiding responsible AI use.
The findings reveal a gap between student engagement with AI tools and the support they receive from librarians. Although more than half of the students surveyed indicated they use tools like ChatGPT in their research, only 8% reported receiving assistance from a librarian in doing so. Despite this, over half said they would feel more confident using such tools if recommended by a librarian, suggesting both a challenge and an opportunity for greater librarian involvement.
The report identifies several trends. Students primarily use AI to simplify research tasks, including summarizing material, clarifying complex concepts, and proofreading. However, concerns about academic integrity often limit their deeper use of AI tools. While students trust librarians, nearly one-third said they do not believe librarians could help them manage feelings of academic overwhelm, and only 17% said they would turn to a librarian for AI guidance—compared to 27% who would not seek support from anyone at their institution.
Librarians, by contrast, reported a broader use of AI tools, including platforms like Elicit and Copilot for Microsoft 365. The report emphasizes that librarians possess skills—such as information literacy and critical thinking—that align with the competencies needed for effective AI use. It argues that librarians can enhance their relevance and influence by actively participating in emerging AI workflows.
The publication includes contributions from academic librarians, AI researchers, and library technology providers, along with a foreword by Dr. Leo S. Lo, dean and professor at the College of University Libraries and Learning Science at the University of New Mexico. In the foreword, Dr. Lo describes the report as a call to action for libraries to adopt AI expertise and strengthen their role within academic communities.
Click here to read the original press release.
