Cox, A. orcid.org/0000-0002-2587-245X (2025) Our place in the agentic AI loop: the value of information professional competencies. Library Hi Tech News. ISSN: 0741-9058
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyse the concept of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) and the relevance of information professional competencies to it.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on literature and a small-scale testing of the deep research services from Gemini and ChatGPT.
Findings
The eight promises that are made in the discourse around agents are elaborated, with the questions an information professional would ask. The main features of deep research agents are analysed. Information professionals are likely to be concerned about the sources of information in use and the reliability of outputs, and the wider societal impacts such as on the environment.
Research limitations/implications
The author questions how far the promises of the discourse around agents can be really delivered.
Practical implications
Information professionals should be involved in configuration of agents and training of users.
Originality/value
The paper is an early review of the trending agent/agentic AI concept.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: | |
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2025 The Authors. Except as otherwise noted, this author-accepted version of a journal article published in Library Hi Tech News is made available via the University of Sheffield Research Publications and Copyright Policy under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
Keywords: | AI; Artificial intelligence; Agents; Agentic AI; Information quality; Interoperability; Information professional roles |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | ?? Sheffield.IJC ?? The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Information School (Sheffield) The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Department of Journalism Studies (Sheffield) |
Date Deposited: | 29 Sep 2025 10:37 |
Last Modified: | 29 Sep 2025 10:37 |
Status: | Published online |
Publisher: | Emerald |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1108/lhtn-07-2025-0132 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:232304 |