Should we be afraid of artificial intelligence?

Abstract

This study is part of a bigger survey done by a research team at the University of Pécs Department of Library and Information Science about artificial intelligence and libraries. In the survey there were some questions studying the opinion of librarians
about the effect of artificial intelligence on library work. In this study I deal with those aspects that show if the librarians are afraid of artificial intelligence, if they think it will take their job. The results are compared to other international surveys. It is obvious
that librarians all over the world are quite optimistic, they know that artificial intelligence will have effect on their job, but do not think it will take over it. Hungarian librarians are a little bit more sceptic about this topic. In our survey participated mainly
librarians from public and research libraries. Those working in public libraries have more fears, and usually they are more unsure about the usefulness of artificial intelligence. The respondents think that artificial intelligence will take effect on libraries not in the near future, but after 8-10 years. The effect will be positive according to the Hungarian librarians.