From Fragmentation to Integration: The Role of AI in Addressing the Multidimensional Challenges of Knowledge

Purpose: This editorial note aims to identify and synthesize the major challenges facing knowledge creation, organization, access, and transfer in contemporary society, with particular focus on issues such as language barriers, the tacit-explicit knowledge divide, disciplinary silos, unstructured knowledge, coding literacy, and the physical-to-digital knowledge gap. It further explores the integrative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing these barriers and enabling more inclusive, accessible, and interconnected knowledge ecosystems. Methodology: This paper employs a conceptual and interdisciplinary synthesis method, combining insights from knowledge management literature, information science, AI research, and digital transformation case studies. The discussion is framed through an editorial lens suitable for the readership of a multidisciplinary journal and emphasizes both theoretical underpinnings and applied illustrations. Findings: The paper identifies seven persistent challenges in the knowledge landscape and illustrates how AI technologies—including natural language processing, machine learning, knowledge graphs, and code-generating tools—are actively addressing these challenges. AI is shown to enable multilingual access, surface tacit knowledge, personalize content across cognitive levels, structure unstructured data, democratize programming tasks, facilitate interdisciplinary exchange, and digitize physical knowledge assets. Importantly, the paper also warns against over-reliance on AI without human oversight, ethical reflection, and respect for disciplinary depth. Conclusion: AI is emerging as both a bridge and amplifier in the knowledge domain. When integrated thoughtfully, it enhances human capacities for learning, collaboration, and decision-making. Nevertheless, solving knowledge challenges requires interdisciplinary coordination, critical human judgment, and a values-based approach to AI deployment. Value: This editorial provides a comprehensive overview of the fragmented nature of knowledge in the 21st century and highlights how AI can contribute meaningfully to knowledge equity, accessibility, and interdisciplinary innovation. It offers valuable guidance to researchers, educators, and policymakers interested in the future of knowledge systems in an AI-augmented world.