Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents risk, uncertainty, hope, and opportunity in our profession, and we are launching the AI survey to uncover where we stand on this new technology as library and information professionals.

The Survey is featured on the AI Hub and builds on the 2019 report The impact of AI, machine learning, automation and robotics on the information profession.

The survey is a collaboration between the University of Sheffield and CILIP, and aims to gain a sector-wide perspective on the biggest questions in AI right now, to better understand how to use and integrate this new technology:

1. Will AI take away jobs?
2. Is AI all hype and no substance – or somewhere in between?
3. Will AI create new opportunities and what could they be?
4. What is the top priority for AI right now in libraries?
5. Is my service ahead or behind the curve with AI adoption?
6. Is it time to create an AI policy for my organisation?
7. What do we as a sector need most to move forward in a world with AI?
8. How do we ensure AI is used ethically?

These are big questions, and we are inviting all sector professionals to submit their views and experiences from policy, to application, to emerging trends.

Using the results of the survey, CILIP and the University of Sheffield will produce an open-access report to gain a clearer understanding of where we stand as a sector and as individual professionals in terms of AI adoption, use, and attitudes in the libraries and information profession.

Andrew Cox, Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield, who will be producing the report, said:

"The fact is that generative AI, at least realised by Big Tech companies, is riven through with informational and ethical problems: such as inaccuracy, hallucination and bias. In educational contexts they create problems of unfair means, technology dependence and inequitable access.

"They pose significant issues of sustainability and environmental impact. Raising awareness of these issues is an important part of our role in promoting data, algorithmic and AI literacy (as discussed in the 2021 report)."

"Learning from others in your sector is one of the best ways for the profession to stay relevant. Not all professions are so good at sharing good practice. That is our collective strength."

Add your voice and experience and fill in the survey today.

The survey combines a mixture of qualitative and quantitative questions to allow you to expand on your answers and share your opinions on AI adoption.