Transforming INIS: Uses of AI in Information Management

Since the 1950s, and before, artificial intelligence has cycled through repeated waves of enthusiasm, hype, and inevitable disappointment. In 1958, Frank Rosenblatt, inventor of the Perceptron, said that “we are about to witness the birth of such a machine—a machine capable of perceiving, recognizing and identifying its surroundings without any human training or control.” (quoted in Lefkowitz, 2019) Like many other technologies, AI has followed a familiar path: initial excitement, followed by disillusionment, and finally, a productive phase of realistic expectations and practical integration. In recent months, AI use in Information Management appears to be entering a productive phase. While many applications remain unsuited for AI, with appropriate caution and oversight, AI tools can be successfully incorporated into IM workflows. This paper will present five current use cases illustrating successful integration and explore two prospective applications that hold promise for future development.