Kwara State University’s librarian, Malate, Dr Abdulsalam Salman, has stated that an Artificial Intelligence and Robotics will soon be launched in the library of the institution to manage the issue of staff shortage in the department.
On Friday, 10 June, Salman stated that the development was an approach toward digitalisation of the institution’s library.
He said, “We are attempting to introduce Artificial Intelligence and Robotics where we can use robots in delivering library services. Instead of you interfacing with humans, robots will operate, so the problem of understaffing we have as an issue will be taken care of soon.”
The librarian said that he was operating to make KWASU the second university in Nigeria to utilise robots in the library after the University of Lagos.
The University of Pretoria, South Africa in Africa is already utilising robots to handle the library services, and they are working smoothly.
In Nigeria, the University of Lagos has also tested it, and it has proved to be successful.
The librarian further said that while trying to establish a formidable internet service, they are already working with NCC, NITDA and other ICT organisations.
Salman stated, “But if you want to go for artificial intelligence, it has to be 24 hours. So, all those essential things must be executed, which we are working on seriously.”
However, he cited that introducing robots to the university would not give rise to unemployment but would push workers to exceed their limits.
He noted that introducing robots to the university would not increase unemployment but would push the workers to sharpen their capabilities.
More people will be required to work on the machine in terms of programming to make it work properly.
Even for the maintenance and sustainability of these robotics, one cannot just fold hands; people are still required for that job.
