Digital skills of students in the Library and Information Program - Menoufia University for using artificial intelligence software and applications: An exploratory study

Through this study, the researcher aims to reveal the availability of digital skills for bachelor’s degree students - the credit hour system in the library and information program at Menoufia University, regarding the use of artificial intelligence software and applications. To achieve this goal, the descriptive approach was used in its survey style, and the researcher relied as a tool for the study on the questionnaire in collecting data. It included two axes: The first axis included digital skills related to artificial intelligence software, while the second axis included digital skills related to artificial intelligence applications, it was applied to a random sample of (first/second/third) level students, amounting to (157) students distributed according to two variables (gender/school level). The study indicated that the reality of bachelor’s degree students’ possession of the skills related to artificial intelligence software in the library and information program’s credit hour system was to a moderate degree. While the fact that bachelor’s degree students in the library and information program’s credit hour system possess skills related to artificial intelligence applications was at a low degree, The results also indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in the responses of the study sample members due to the gender variable, while there were statistically significant differences in their responses due to the academic level. Based on the results reached, the researcher concluded by proposing ways to enhance these skills for the study sample to be guided by them, The researcher also concluded several recommendations, the most important of which are reorganizing and restructuring the infrastructure of the library and information program, working to activate artificial intelligence applications through virtual environments for some course topics that the faculty member cannot simulate in reality, and developing the courses in the current list to suit the requirements of teaching and enhancing skills. Artificial intelligence among students of the library and information program at Menoufia University more effectively.