In the Age of AI Answers, What Should Libraries Do? Experts from 120 Countries Gather in Busan

Held in Korea for the First Time in 20 Years, World Library and Information Congress Draws Over 3,500 Participants
Over 200 Sessions Cover Topics Including AI, Information Gaps, Intellectual Freedom, and Climate Crisis

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) delivers answers in mere seconds, what role should libraries play? More than 3,500 experts in the library and information field from over 120 countries have gathered in Busan to discuss trust in knowledge, the right of access in the age of AI, and the evolving role of libraries.

On the 10th, at BEXCO in Busan, key attendees from both domestic and international circles took a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony of the "2026 Busan World Library and Information Congress (WLIC)." During the opening event, the Korean Organizing Committee, which had gifted a jing to IFLA at the 2005 WLIC in Oslo, Norway, rang it again after 20 years to mark the beginning of the Busan conference. WLIC National Committee

The "2026 Busan World Library and Information Congress (WLIC)," the world’s largest international academic conference in the library and information sector, opened on August 10 at BEXCO in Busan. This marks the first time in 20 years that the congress, hosted by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), is being held in Korea since the 2006 event in Seoul. Celebrating its 90th session this year, the congress is scheduled to run through August 13 under the theme "Libraries Powering Transformation."

The central topic of this year’s congress is AI. While technological advances have accelerated access to knowledge and information, disparities in the ability to filter out false information and interpret and utilize data have emerged as new sources of inequality. There is a growing consensus that libraries must be redefined—not just as ‘repositories of knowledge,’ but as reliable public knowledge infrastructures. At the opening ceremony, Leslie Weir, President of IFLA, delivered a welcome address to library professionals around the world, urging them to "be bold" and emphasizing that libraries must boldly embrace change and serve as agents leading their communities toward a better future.

In his congratulatory remarks, Speaker of the National Assembly Cho Jeong-sik stated, "As we enter an era where answers come faster, it becomes increasingly important to think and question independently." He stressed that libraries must move beyond merely storing knowledge and should play key roles in validation, ethics, and serving as forums for democratic discourse. He also pledged to further strengthen legislation supporting access to information and to promote the global sharing of Korea’s accumulated experience and technology in digital libraries.

Leslie Weir, President of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), is delivering a welcome speech at the opening ceremony of the "2026 Busan World Library and Information Congress (WLIC)" held at BEXCO in Busan on the 10th. President Weir emphasized the role of libraries as agents of change, encouraging librarians worldwide to "Be bold." WLIC National Committee

Jiho Cha, Co-Chair of the WLIC Organizing Committee, proposed in his keynote speech titled "The Fundamentals of an AI Society" that AI should be viewed not as a technology monopolized by a select few, but as a public infrastructure accessible to all. He argued that libraries must act as intermediaries connecting citizens and technology in order to raise AI literacy and mitigate information inequality.

During the congress, more than 200 specialized lectures and academic sessions are scheduled on topics ranging from AI and knowledge infrastructure to cybersecurity, climate literacy, cultural heritage preservation, intellectual freedom, and information accessibility. Key issues include “Libraries in the Age of AI: Balancing Innovation, Ethics, and Human Connection,” “Cybersecurity for Libraries,” “Collections Under Threat,” and “A Global Response to Attacked Libraries and the Defense of Intellectual Freedom” — all addressing the challenges that rapid technological change brings to libraries and to society.

On August 11, futurist Sohail Inayatullah will deliver a speech on “Alternative Futures for Libraries.” On August 12, Mahaletchumy Arujanan, Secretary General of the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre, and Tommi Laitio, Chair of the IFLA Metropolitan Libraries Section, will discuss the sharing of scientific knowledge and the future coexistence of libraries. In a session for the next generation of global professionals in the library and information field—featuring 16 rising experts—Miae Song, a school librarian from Posan High School in Korea, will present on how generative AI is transforming information searches in school libraries.

Korea’s proposed library model for the AI era will also be discussed in a dedicated session. On August 12, in a National Committee main session titled “Libraries in the Age of Fundamental AI Society: From Knowledge Repositories to Civilizational Refineries,” Professor Kim Jeongnam from KAIST, Professor R. David Lankes from the University of Texas, and Professor Ming Ming Chiu from the Education University of Hong Kong will discuss the role of libraries as trusted knowledge infrastructures.

Jae-soo Jeon, Mayor of Busan (left), and Hui-Young Choi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (second from left), are touring the international exhibition hall of the "2026 Busan World Library and Information Congress (WLIC)" held at BEXCO, Busan on the 10th, receiving explanations from participating organization officials. WLIC National Committee

In Exhibition Hall 1 at BEXCO, more than 80 booths have been set up by 47 institutions and companies from around the world. There is a "Library Promotion Street" showcasing domestic library policy and innovation, an "Expo Pavilion" featuring new technologies, and a "K-Culture Zone" introducing Korean culture. This year also features a record-breaking display of 205 research and innovation posters from around the world.

The academic events are not limited to BEXCO. Before and after the congress, 12 satellite meetings addressing AI, information literacy, and green transformation will be held at 10 institutions in both Seoul and Busan. In Busan, cultural complexes such as F1963 and Domohon are also being used as meeting venues. From August 11 to 13, a "Sea Library Popup" will allow visitors to read by the sea at Millak Waterfront Park.

On August 11, the Busan National Gukak Center will host a "Night of Culture" at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center, featuring Samulnori (traditional percussion), Janggu drum dance, and jazz performances. On the final day of the congress, August 13, participants will visit 38 major libraries in Busan and Seoul. In Busan, 33 public libraries will be divided across 11 tour routes, allowing attendees to explore Korea’s public library policies and specialized services.

This year’s congress is the largest WLIC event held since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to official IFLA records, the 2022 Dublin congress was attended by over 2,000 participants from 100 countries; the 2023 Rotterdam event drew more than 3,000 attendees from 100 countries; and last year's Astana congress welcomed over 1,600 people from 110 countries. For the Busan event, more than 1,400 library professionals from Korea have registered.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.