An assessment of artificial intelligence anxieties of academic librarians in Türkiye

Abstract

This study aims to examine the anxiety levels of academic librarians in Türkiye towards artificial intelligence technologies in a multidimensional way. In the study, the Artificial Intelligence Anxiety Scale was used to assess librarians' anxiety in the dimensions of learning, job replacement, sociotechnical blindness, and artificial intelligence configuration. A total of 191 academic librarians participated in the quantitative study. The results of the study showed that the participants' general AI anxiety levels were moderate, and the highest anxiety was experienced in the sociotechnical blindness dimension. In the analysis conducted in terms of demographic variables, a significant difference was found only in the job replacement dimension in the university type variable, and it was determined that librarians working at state universities had higher job replacement anxiety than those working at foundation universities. In addition, there was a significant negative relationship between the frequency of using artificial intelligence technologies and anxiety levels, and the anxiety level decreased as the frequency of use increased. In line with these findings, it is recommended to organize training programs to facilitate the adaptation of librarians to artificial intelligence technologies and to develop supportive policies at the institutional level.