The 5 Best AI-Proof Careers for Librarians in the Future
As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms the information landscape, librarians face both unprecedented challenges and remarkable opportunities. While more than half of library professionals believe AI will necessitate “significant” effort to reskill and upskill existing staff (1), the profession is evolving rather than disappearing. Research indicates that librarians are unlikely to be replaced by AI because they “cannot provide the same level of personalized service that librarians can” (2), particularly in roles requiring human empathy, critical thinking, and complex judgment.
- AI Literacy Specialist
Perhaps the most crucial emerging role is that of the AI Literacy Specialist. These professionals develop frameworks to help faculty and students critically evaluate, ethically use, and properly cite AI-generated content (3). This position goes far beyond teaching tool usage, focusing instead on fostering critical thinking about AI’s limitations, biases, and ethical implications. As educational institutions grapple with integrating AI responsibly, these specialists serve as essential bridges between technology and pedagogy, ensuring that AI adoption enhances rather than compromises academic integrity.
- Knowledge Co-Creation Specialist
The role of librarians is shifting from information gatekeepers to knowledge creators. “We’re moving from curating existing knowledge to actively creating new knowledge products tailored to specific needs,” explains Dr. Sarah Johnson, head of research services at Oxford’s Bodleian Library. “This shifts the value proposition from access to creation.” (3). Knowledge Co-Creation Specialists leverage AI’s capacity to dynamically assemble content, applying human expertise to ensure quality, relevance, and adherence to ethical considerations. They collaborate with researchers, faculty, and students to develop customized information resources that address specific research questions or learning objectives.
- Digital Humanities Research Facilitator
Digital humanities represents a field where human interpretation remains irreplaceable. A significant amount of work in digital humanities already seeks to use AI to conduct 
research in libraries’ unique historic “collections as data” (4). Digital Humanities Research Facilitators combine traditional archival expertise with cutting-edge technology, helping scholars apply computational methods to historical texts, images, and artifacts. They design research methodologies, interpret results, and ensure that AI-assisted analysis maintains scholarly rigor while revealing new insights about cultural heritage materials.
- Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator
Despite technological advances, libraries remain vital community spaces requiring human connection and cultural sensitivity. Community Engagement Coordinators focus on programming, partnerships, and public services that require a deep understanding of local needs, cultural nuances, and social dynamics. They develop initiatives that bring diverse populations together, facilitate difficult conversations, and create inclusive environments where AI tools serve human connection rather than replace it. This role emphasizes the irreplaceable human elements of empathy, cultural competence, and relationship-building.
- Information Ethics and Privacy Consultant
As AI systems proliferate, concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and information ethics intensify. Information Ethics and Privacy Consultants help institutions navigate the complex landscape of responsible AI implementation. They develop policies for the ethical use of AI, conduct audits of algorithmic systems for bias, and ensure compliance with evolving privacy regulations. These professionals require a deep understanding of both information science principles and emerging ethical frameworks, making them essential for institutions seeking to implement AI responsibly.
The Future Landscape
Research shows that 42 percent of librarians believe AI will help automate routine tasks, enabling librarians to focus more on strategic and creative activities (5). This shift
toward higher-level cognitive work plays to librarians’ strengths in critical thinking, research methodology, and information evaluation.
The key to career resilience lies in embracing AI as a collaborative tool, rather than viewing it as a replacement or a threat. These five career paths represent areas where human judgment, creativity, and interpersonal skills remain indispensable, even as AI transforms routine aspects of library work.
As the profession evolves, successful librarians will be those who position themselves at the intersection of technology and humanity, using AI to amplify their unique human capabilities rather than competing with algorithmic efficiency. The future belongs to librarians who can navigate both digital and physical information landscapes while maintaining the profession’s core commitment to equitable access, critical thinking, and community service.
Sources
- Inside Higher Ed. (2024, September 10). AI adoption is a top concern for librarians in the next year. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/09/10/ai-adoption-top-concern-librarians-next-year
- San Jose State University School of Information. Should Librarians Be Worried About Artificial Intelligence? https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/should-librarians-be-worried-about-artificial-intelligence
- Hybrid Horizons. (2025, March 16). How AI Will Transform Libraries & Librarianship 2025-2035? https://hybridhorizons.substack.com/p/how-ai-will-transform-libraries-and
- Cox, A. M. (2023). How artificial intelligence might change academic library work: Applying the competencies literature and the theory of the professions. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology. https://asistdl.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/asi.24635
- Library Journal. (2024, September 11). The majority of Libraries are planning for AI Integration. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/majority-of-libraries-planning-for-ai-integration