UNISA Yogyakarta’s 34th Anniversary and National Librarian Day: The Role of Librarians in the AI Era is Thoroughly Discussed

The 34th anniversary of Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (UNISA) Yogyakarta coincided with National Librarian Day on July 7, resulting in a grand event. The UNISA Yogyakarta Library, in collaboration with the Regional Chapter of the Indonesian Librarians Association (PD IPI) DIY, successfully organized a National Seminar titled “The Role of Librarians in the AI Technology Era: Creating Innovation and Achievements.” The online event, held on Wednesday (July 9, 2025) via Zoom Meeting and YouTube, was enthusiastically received, attracting the attention of hundreds of literacy enthusiasts from various regions.

The Rector of UNISA Yogyakarta, Dr. Warsiti S.Kp, M.Kep., Sp.Mat., officially opened the seminar. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the urgency of transforming librarians into information service architects and data curators. Warsiti stressed the vital role of librarians in providing relevant, accurate, and ethical information amid the growing influence of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

Moderated by Irkhamiyati, M.IP., the seminar was divided into two sessions featuring presentations by competent speakers. The first session featured Safirotu Khoir, Ph.D., a librarian at UGM, who highlighted the relevance of the three core elements of a library according to Ranganathan’s theory: collection, patrons, and librarians. She reminded the audience that the use of AI in libraries has two sides, namely benefits and risks, so wisdom and ethics are key.

Next, Dr. Komarudin, S.Psi., M.Psi, Psychologist, Lecturer in Psychology at UNISA Yogyakarta, discussed the impact of AI from a psychological perspective. He warned about the phenomenon of brain rot, cognitive fatigue resulting from excessive use of technology without balanced social interaction. According to him, maintaining mental health and continuing to build social interactions are safeguards to prevent technology from negatively dominating our lives.

The second session was equally fascinating, featuring Dr. Muhammad Sulhan, S.IP., M.SI., Lecturer in Communication Science at UGM. He presented on the crucial role of big data in AI development. AI systems heavily rely on data supplied by humans, including librarians as providers and managers of information. Therefore, a strong understanding of ethical and strategic data management is essential to ensure the quality of future information systems.

The enthusiasm of the seminar participants was truly unexpected. As proof, 744 participants filled the Zoom Meeting, and 160 others watched via YouTube until the end of the event. Participants came from diverse backgrounds, including librarians, professors, students, and literacy advocates. The hope is that through this initiative, librarians will be better prepared to navigate the AI era with innovation, collaboration, and a sustained commitment to literacy.