“Through the looking glass: envisioning new library technologies” revisiting AI observations two years later: reflections and revelations Part 2

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to examine four critical concepts to help information professionals understand the forces driving artificial intelligence (AI) development and better prepare for the future while serving their users. The first two concepts explore the evolving role of prompt engineering and how it intersects with an overall lack of transparency in generative AI systems. The third and fourth observations examine the economic pressures shaping development and the ensuing downstream effects this has on the online Web, as well as on the broader technology ecosystem that libraries interact with. Design/methodology/approach This column revisits observations developed two years ago when generative AI was relatively new to the public sphere. By applying these to the current landscape, the column provides a more grounded understanding of how AI has evolved. This retrospective approach allows for a clearer assessment of AI’s ongoing development. The author used ChatGPT GPT-4o to help generate a prompt discussed within the text and Claude Sonnet 4.5 to assist with grammar and clarity during the copyediting process. Findings By understanding these dynamics, information professionals can more effectively navigate the challenges and opportunities that generative AI presents for their institutions and communities. Originality/value This paper assists information professionals in understanding AI developments by examining how the author’s initial observations have held up over time.

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