Disruptive Technologies and New Skillsets  in Libraries

In an era defined by rapid technological acceleration and the emergence of the Fifth Industrial Revolution (IR 5.0), libraries and other GLAM institutions are redefining their role in society. This course empowers information professionals to navigate and lead within this “Now Normal,” where human expertise and machine intelligence operate in synergy.

Participants explore how disruptive technologies — including generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), augmented and virtual reality, spatial computing, and immersive digital ecosystems — are reshaping research, education, and user engagement. The course moves beyond basic digital literacy toward true technological fluency, enabling professionals to understand, critique, and strategically implement AI-driven systems.

At the same time, strong emphasis is placed on ethical responsibility, data sovereignty, algorithmic bias, and digital wellbeing. In a hyper-connected society, libraries play a vital role not only in providing access to information, but also in safeguarding cognitive space and fostering information resilience.

Through strategic foresight, practical implementation strategies, and a hands-on capstone project, participants will design a forward-looking innovation blueprint tailored to their own organization — ensuring that their institution remains human-centered, technologically agile, and future-proof.

 

Target audience

This course is intended for information professionals who would like to learn about disruptive technologies, the adoption of these technologies to improve information services, and the skillsets required to function effectively in a rapidly changing  21st century information environment.

 

Result

To empower information professionals to navigate and lead within the "Now Normal" (Industrial Revolution 5.0). This course explores the symbiotic relationship between human expertise and machine intelligence, focusing on how the blurring boundaries between physical and digital spheres redefine the value proposition of GLAM institutions (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums).

 

Content

This ‘Disruptive Technologies and New Skillsets in Libraries' covers the following topics:

The Velocity of Innovation & The Fifth Industrial Revolution

• Disruptive Trajectories: Analyzing the shift from the Fourth to the Fifth Industrial Revolution (IR 5.0), where the focus returns to human-centric technology.
• Educational Foresight 2026: Integrating the latest pedagogical trends, such as personalized learning pathways and AI-augmented curricula (inspired by the Kennisnet 2026 roadmap).
• The Evolutionary Librarian: Redefining the professional identity from information gatekeepers to "AI-Librarians" and facilitators of complex digital ecosystems.

Immersive Ecosystems: From Augmented to Virtual Realities

• Spatial Computing & AR: Leveraging Augmented Reality for immersive collection discovery and interactive spatial storytelling.
• Virtual Embodiment (VR): The application of Virtual Reality in high-stakes research and education, from virtual anatomical reconstructions to globalized access to heritage sites via digital twins.
• Gamification & Engagement: Utilizing mechanics from the gaming industry (e.g., Metaverse environments) to foster sophisticated information literacy and user engagement.

The AI Frontier: Generative Intelligence & LLMs

• Synthesizing Generative AI: Practical integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) to automate sophisticated administrative workflows and enhance metadata generation.
• Autonomous Reference Services: Implementing next-generation, AI-driven conversational agents to provide 24/7 hyper-personalized research support.
• AI Agency & Literacy: Moving beyond basic usage to mastering "Prompt Engineering" and understanding the algorithmic foundations of modern search.

Algorithmic Ethics, Digital Literacy & Holistic Wellbeing

• The Ethics of Intelligence: Navigating the complexities of data sovereignty, intellectual property in the age of AI, and mitigating algorithmic bias.
• Information Resilience: Cultivating 21st-century critical thinking skills to combat deepfakes and misinformation.
• Digital Equilibrium (New for 2026): Addressing "Digital Wellbeing" by designing library services that promote mental clarity and cognitive health in a hyper-connected society.

Strategic Future-Proofing & Implementation

• Continuous Upskilling: Strategies for lifelong professional agility and organizational adaptability.
• Sustainable Innovation: Navigating the funding landscape for high-tech library interventions and building cross-sector partnerships.
• Capstone Project: Designing a "2026 Innovation Blueprint"- a practical, scalable intervention (e.g., an AI-avatar host or a cross-institutional AR exhibit) tailored to the participant's own organization.

 

Structure

During this  workshop our lecturer will guide you through the course material in an interactive and practical way to ensure that you not only get the required knowledge and insight but develop your skills as well.

To get the best result out of the course we strongly recommend that you bring your own device to the course.