New National Library Director Aims to Boost AI Literacy in Underserved Areas

Nam Young-joon, the newly appointed director of the National Library of Korea, declared his intention to establish and disseminate a standard AI literacy education model, ensuring that even residents in underserved areas can enhance their understanding of artificial intelligence. Nam, an emeritus professor at Chung-Ang University, assumed his post on July 7.

During a brief press conference at the Signiel Busan hotel on July 11, amidst the Conference of Directors of National Libraries (CDNL), Nam emphasized the growing importance of literacy in the AI era. "While everyone acknowledges the need for literacy, there's no consensus on where to receive AI education," he stated. "As the national library, the National Library of Korea wants to create a standard model for AI education, enabling even relatively underserved regions to enjoy the positive influence of AI."

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As the national library, the National Library of Korea wants to create a standard model for AI education, enabling even relatively underserved regions to enjoy the positive influence of AI.

Despite the challenging task given his two-year term and limited resources, Nam identified this initiative as his "greatest ambition." The period of his directorship, 2026-2028, is poised to be a pivotal time for the relationship between libraries and AI, marked by both intense challenges and significant advancements. AI was a dominant topic at the CDNL meeting, attended by national librarians from 41 countries.

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While everyone acknowledges the need for literacy, there's no consensus on where to receive AI education.

Nam had proposed the 'Busan Declaration,' centered on "building a trustworthy information environment," but the joint declaration's adoption was ultimately deferred due to calls for a more robust statement. "I thought it would be adopted, of course," Nam expressed his disappointment, "but some countries felt that while they agreed on its importance, they desired a more detailed and practical proposal. They suggested creating a more expanded, perfect declaration." He added that while he was initially disappointed, he believes expanding the declaration is not a bad outcome.

The initial draft of the Busan Declaration included provisions for national libraries to "strengthen their role in verifying and recording information to combat the spread of AI-generated content, misinformation, and information manipulation." Nam views the library's "verification" function as crucial in the age of AI. "Verification is different from censorship. Trustworthy information has become extremely important," he asserted.

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Verification is different from censorship. Trustworthy information has become extremely important.

However, Nam does not view AI solely negatively. He stressed the necessity of "human-AI collaboration," a theme consistently highlighted throughout the World Library and Information Congress. "Utilizing AI is crucial for providing personalized services to users," he explained. "It's impossible for AI to replace librarians; rather, librarians are actively embracing AI to offer more in-depth services."

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It's impossible for AI to replace librarians; rather, librarians are actively embracing AI to offer more in-depth services.