Theme: “AI as a Transformative Force for Library Publishing: Issues and Practices“
The IFLA Library Publishing Section is seeking proposals for Lightning Talks to be presented at the Open Session at the World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) in Busan, South Korea, 10-13 August, 2026
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping scholarly communication, from automated language tools and metadata generation to discovery, peer review, and new modes of authorship. Library publishers, operating at the intersection of libraries, academia, and open knowledge, face unique opportunities and challenges as they integrate AI‑driven tools. This session will explore how library publishers can responsibly experiment with AI while remaining grounded in values of openness, transparency, accessibility, and human‑centred publishing.
By sharing emerging practices and policy approaches, this session will help participants identify both immediate action steps and long‑term strategic considerations for AI in library publishing. Papers should reflect the WLIC 2026 conference theme, “Libraries Powering Transformation,” and in particular the sub-themes on transforming scholarship, open science, knowledge as a public good, and generative AI in libraries.
The session will feature four lightning talks (approximately 8–10 minutes each), followed by a moderated discussion and audience Q&A.
All presentation slides will be submitted to the IFLA Repository. Authors will also have the option to complete a paper for deposit in the IFLA repository.
Suggested topics
Proposals may address, but are not limited to, the following:
- Developing guidelines for responsible AI use in library publishing
- Practical adoption pathways for AI in library publishing workflows and platforms
- Emerging use cases in copyediting, metadata generation, and multilingual workflows
- Practical strategies for dealing with AI-bots in library publishing
- Handling AI-generated submissions: detection, thresholds for acceptability, and communication with authors
- Aligning AI use with library values: intellectual freedom, privacy, equity, openness
- Accountability and responsibility: who is liable when AI-generated content is wrong, biased, or plagiarised?
Important dates & deadlines
- 01/05/2026: Deadline for submission of proposals/abstracts
- 10/05/2026: Notification to authors about the status of a submission
- 15/07/2026: Submission of accompanying presentation slides for the session in Busan
- 11/09/2026: Submission of the full text of the paper (if desired)
Submission guidelines
Proposals should include:
- Title of proposed presentation
- Abstract of proposed lightning talk (no more than 300 words)
- Name of presenter plus position and/or title
- Employer / affiliated institution
- Contact information including email address and telephone number
- Short biographical statement of presenter (max. 100 words)
Send proposals via email to:
Jane Buggle
Email: jane.buggle@iadt.ie
Use subject line:
“LIBPUB WLIC 2026 Lightning Talk Proposal – AI in Library Publishing”
Please note
- At least one of the paper’s authors must be present to deliver the lightning talk during the programme in Busan. Abstracts are to be submitted only with the understanding that the expenses of attending the conference will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers.
- All papers must use the WLIC paper template, which will be provided when your proposal is accepted (where a full paper is requested).
- The language of the session is expected to be English, with AI-simultaneous translation into all IFLA official languages and Korean.
- All papers presented at WLIC 2026 will be available online under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
- All papers must be unpublished and not previously presented.
- Authors must disclose whether they have submitted this proposal to another WLIC 2026 session.
- Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form and adhere to the presenter guidelines, which will be provided upon acceptance.
- All expenses, including registration for the conference, travel, and accommodation, are the responsibility of the authors/presenters; IFLA does not provide financial support.
Congress Participation Grants
A list of opportunities for support is available on the Grants and Awards page of the WLIC 2026 website.