The Impact of Generative AI on Library Services and Digital Content Management in Sri Lanka: Exploring Opportunities and Challenges

The integration of generative AI in libraries, particularly in Sri Lanka, presents an opportunity to address existing challenges in library services and digital content management. Generative AI encompasses a variety of machine learning and natural language processing techniques that enable systems to generate content, automate tasks, and improve user experiences. In Sri Lanka, libraries often struggle with outdated systems, limited resources, and the need for modernization. This research examines how generative AI can alleviate these issues by enhancing the efficiency of library operations and making content more accessible. It explores the potential benefits, such as automating cataloguing, generating personalized recommendations, and improving multilingual accessibility. The paper also discusses the barriers to AI adoption in Sri Lankan libraries, including technological limitations, financial constraints, and resistance to change. Ethical considerations, such as privacy concerns and the risk of AI biases, are also examined. Through a review of global case studies, the research highlights how AI has been successfully integrated into libraries in different contexts and provides actionable recommendations for Sri Lanka. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for a strategic approach that balances technological advancement with the ethical use of AI in library settings.