Ethical AI Use in Research: The Role of Librarians in Closing the Information Literacy Gap
According to a very recent Library Journal publication,
“AI In The News: Some AI Tools Are Making Newsrooms More Efficient; Others Are Generating Incorrect Headlines And News Summaries, Presenting New Information Literacy Challenge,” “[. . .] recent U.S. Department of Education statistics [. . .] note that about 130 million adults in the country—half of its adult population—have low general literacy skills. ‘You have to crawl before you walk,’ he says. ‘Everyone is using social media to gather their information. If you can't even read, or you don't know how to look for [more authoritative] information, how can you understand what's AI generated?’’ (Enis, 2025)…
So how are Librarians addressing this? How can we help?
Promoting Critical Thinking Over AI Reliance
AI tools can provide summaries and analytical insights, but researchers must remain the primary thinkers. Librarians can guide researchers to critically assess AI-generated content instead of passively accepting it.
Encouraging researchers to compare AI-generated summaries with original texts can help identify missing nuances or biases introduced by AI models.
Understanding AI Bias and Information Accuracy
AI-generated summaries are not neutral; they reflect the biases of their training data. Librarians can educate researchers on recognizing these biases and cross-checking AI-generated insights with authoritative sources.
Some research databases integrate AI assistants that summarize academic papers, allowing for easy copying of key points. While this can aid comprehension, it may lead to misinterpretation if users do not verify accuracy against the full text.
Encouraging Transparent AI Use
Librarians should advocate for transparency in AI-generated research. Researchers should disclose when they use AI tools for summarization, analysis, or writing assistance.
A clear distinction between human and AI authorship is essential, reinforcing that AI is a tool, not a replacement for original research.
Teaching AI Literacy as an Extension of Information Literacy
Traditional information literacy principles, such as source evaluation and critical analysis, remain essential in an AI-driven research environment.
By providing workshops and resources on AI literacy, librarians can help researchers understand both the capabilities and limitations of AI tools.
Balancing AI Assistance with Ethical Research Practices
AI-generated insights can serve as a springboard for deeper inquiry, but they should not replace human analysis.
Librarians can guide researchers to use AI tools ethically—such as for brainstorming or summarization—without undermining original thought and scholarly integrity.
Final Thought: The Ironic Nature of AI in Research
AI offers both promise and pitfalls for researchers. While it can enhance efficiency and idea generation, it also presents ethical dilemmas, particularly regarding bias and the temptation to rely on AI-generated thought. The role of librarians is to help researchers navigate this landscape responsibly, ensuring that AI complements rather than compromises scholarly inquiry. ~ Natasa
