The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Knowledge Organization and Subject Indexing.

Objective: The library, once a silent repository of knowledge, is undergoing a digital metamorphosis. At the heart of this transformation is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). Traditionally, cataloging and classifying books was a meticulous, labor-intensive task requiring deep subject knowledge and adherence to complex classification systems. However, the advent of AI is revolutionizing this process, promising greater efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility. This research presents a pilot study on the potential use of AI for semi-automatic subject indexing, cataloging, and classification of books. Materials and Methods: To collect the data, first we searched for open access books in the Directory of Open Access Books and OAPEN (Online library of open access books). Four books in English were chosen for the current study. The book titles were searched in the Library of Congress Online Catalog to discover the subject headings, the Library of Congress Classification number and the Dewey Decimal Classification number assigned to each book, collecting the necessary information. Third, we searched for each book in ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini, using necessary prompts to collect the data. Results: The results indicate that the degree of cataloging and classification consistency is low. The cataloging and classification consistency are seen as the measure of the similarity of reaction of different machines and human beings processing the same book. Conclusion: By automating routine tasks, improving classification and cataloging accuracy, and enhancing metadata creation, AI is transforming the way libraries organize and share knowledge. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more exciting developments in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]