International Symposium Aims to Transform Libraries through Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

BY: .

The Library Services at UKZN hosted the 5th International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Symposium, bringing together a wide network of delegates from leading universities and agencies across South Africa and around the world.

Attendees represented more than 13 countries, including Canada, USA, Colombia, Ghana, Lesotho, Namibia, Dubai, Peru, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe, making it a truly international gathering.

Held at the Golden Horse Casino and Hotel in Pietermaritzburg, the week-long engagement was the result of a partnership with several stakeholders, including the IFLA Information Technology (IT) Section and sponsors such as the KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau (led by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Commission), EBSCO, Elsevier, Universal Knowledge Software (UKS), Press Reader, Sabinet, IOP Publishing, CSX, Bloomberg, Unathi Press, and UKZN Press.

Delegates visited UKZN libraries, heritage landmarks, and scenic tourist sites gaining a rich experience of the region’s academic, historical and cultural landscape.

In his welcome address, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Anil Chuturgoon reflected on the evolving role of libraries throughout history.

Chuturgoon said libraries have transitioned from repositories of books and journals to vibrant community spaces where ideas flourish, technology meets tradition, and the future is imagined and shaped.

He cautioned that with advanced technology comes great responsibility, asking: “As we develop and deploy AI technologies, how do we ensure these tools are ethical, inclusive, and most of all, beneficial to all?”

A highlight of the symposium was the official launch of Thola, an automated AI prototype robot designed to help staff and students access library services more efficiently. Thola uses a gantry-style design and is bilingual, supporting the Library Services’ goals of improving access to learning, teaching, research, and information.

Director of Library Services Dr Nonhlanhla Ngcobo said the launch marked a significant step in reimagining library services at UKZN. She commended her team for their efforts in hosting the event and Dr Nhlanhla Msomi: Director of Innovation at UKZN for sourcing the robot’s creator, Mr Trevor Lorimer of Power Line Robotics.

She outlined the symposium’s goals, which included: exploring different uses of AI in libraries globally, with a focus on southern Africa; sharing best practices for developing AI tools; examining ethical guidelines for AI use in Library and Information Science; promoting responsible AI engagement; enhancing information literacy and self-capacity; and highlighting the strides UKZN has made in AI and robotics.

Ms May Chang from the IFLA IT Section said the development of the robot represented a culmination of strategy, research, and collaboration, three components that form the basis of all successful technology projects.

Chang shared the history of IFLA as an independent, international, non-profit organisation founded in 1927 and based in The Netherlands. She explained that the organisation promotes the interests of libraries, information services, and the communities they serve globally.

President of the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA), Mr Charlie Molepo, said the symposium offered opportunities to develop AI that reflects indigenous knowledge. Dr Adrian Bellengère, Chair of UKZN’s Library Advisory Committee, spoke on Pietermaritzburg’s role as the provincial capital and the historical site where library services in KwaZulu-Natal began in 1849.

Keynote speakers included Mr Musa Zulu, Director of Valhalla Arts, who used the standout analogy of a horse to reflect on how humans have adopted, adapted to, and survived all four industrial revolutions.

Mr Isak van der Walt from the University of Pretoria presented his institution’s innovative Library AI Toolkit, noting how Higher Education Institutions and libraries are shifting from being primary sources of instruction to curators of content and meaning.

Mr Santiago Villegas-Ceballos, Director of the Cultural Intelligence Unit at the Medellin University in Colombia, delivered a thrilling address on how libraries and librarians could align their work with various AI platforms to improve service efficiency and effectiveness.

The symposium’s agenda also included thematic sessions on AI in academic libraries and the Sustainable Development Goals; AI and library education; user engagement through AI; and how libraries are transforming through AI-driven technologies.

Exhibitors showcased AI-integrated academic tools, further complementing the symposium’s broad scope, and a pledge was developed in commitment to responsible AI use.

The week concluded with a braai celebrating South Africa’s diverse traditions through food and music. Executive Director of the Corporate Relations Division, Ms Normah Zondo, reflected on the importance of embracing technology. She said, “Your leadership and commitment to advancing library innovation are commendable and central to what the Library Services Division at UKZN has achieved with this event and the launch of the robot.”

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photographs: Sethu Dlamini