MUSCAT: Sultan Qaboos University has unveiled a groundbreaking study highlighting the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Arab academic libraries.
Modern libraries are evolving from traditional book repositories into dynamic knowledge hubs, leveraging advanced technologies to enhance education and research.
The study, conducted by Dr Ahmed Maher Shehata from the Department of Information Studies and presented at the 16th Asian Social Sciences Conference in Tokyo in May 2025, assesses the impact of AI technologies, particularly large language models such as OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Google’s Gemini, on academic information services.
Using a rigorous framework, the research evaluated 170 queries across five dimensions: accuracy, comprehensiveness, reliability, cultural sensitivity and timeliness. Findings revealed Gemini outperformed GPT-4o in social sciences, humanities, and education queries, while both models showed limitations with highly localised knowledge and current events, highlighting the continued need for human verification.
A key contribution of the study is its focus on cultural specificity in the Arab context, emphasising that AI integration must balance technological advancement with the preservation of academic and cultural identity.
This study represents a significant step toward using AI to reinforce libraries as central hubs of knowledge, innovation, and culturally grounded research in the Arab world.
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