Evolution of Synthetic Intelligence Against Artificial Intelligence: What Librarians Should Know

In recent time, there is this scientific thought that the intelligence of machine needs not to be artificial rather superficial and genuine form of intelligence. In this regard, the need to come with a machine that operates under the claim of “genuine intelligence” arose, given rise to the evolution of what is in recent time traded as ‘Synthetic Intelligence (SI). This paper therefore takes a look at this term synthetic intelligence, conceptualizing the similarities and differences between it and AI as well as areas librarians can leverage on to enhance effective and efficient library services. The paper which was guided by three main objectives, adopted interpretive content and document analysis method aimed at conducting an all-embracing review and analysis of collated literature from different databases. Based on analyzed literature, the paper identified that there exist, some similarities and differences between SI and AI. In terms of similarities, it identified that both AI and synthetic intelligence involve the use of computers and algorithms to create intelligent systems among others whereas, their differences include that while AI is the development of computer systems that can perform tasks and make decisions that would typically require human intelligence, synthetic intelligence goes a step further by creating computer programs or systems that are not just imitating human intelligence, but are designed to possess an entirely synthetic or manufactured form of intelligence but in all, both are computer based intelligence. It was also realized that SI, inter-alia can assist librarians with back-office duties in that computers can now complete regular tasks, such as inventory and catalogue management, holds and reservation management, circulation and check-out and fine notifications and fee collection. Based on the analyzed literature, the suggestion is that librarians as digital literacy advocates and custodians of knowledge should tailor their minds towards understanding SI principles, applications, and ethical considerations, as it will help them better navigate the future landscape of intelligent systems and their integration into theglobal digital ecosystem as well as having it at the back of their minds, that SI and AI are one and same thing but the differences are their approaches and goals.