Mapping artificial intelligence research in LIS: A scoping review

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a prominent research area in library and information science (LIS), raising questions about how it is studied, applied, and conceptualised. This review synthesises AI scholarship in LIS between 2001 and 2025, following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework and PRISMA-ScR standards. From 9249 records retrieved in Scopus, 387 publications were analysed using bibliometric mapping, content analysis, and study design classification. Findings show rapid growth since the mid-2010s, with most contributions concentrating in a few countries, journals, and authors. Six thematic clusters emerged: AI and library practice, academic libraries, diverse contexts, reference services, smart library technologies, and technical foundations. Research is dominated by conceptual and survey-based studies, with limited experimental or longitudinal designs. Ethical and governance concerns are frequently mentioned but rarely examined, and perspectives from the Global South remain underrepresented. The review highlights gaps and outlines future directions to guide responsible and inclusive adoption of AI in libraries worldwide.