Purpose: The recent COVID-19 pandemic affects all segments of the population in all possible fields of life. To encounter this critical situation and to safeguard the health of the library users & library staff, the library services have been forced to adapt and accept the “new normal” and give a greater use and reliance on virtual space than ever before with physical spaces. This paper aims to demonstrate an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solution that can be practically implemented in the form of a “InfoBot” or “Chatbot” to fulfil user needs 24/7 with minimal or without human intervention. Design/methodology/approach: To give a general overview of the use of AI Chatbot in libraries and its multitasking features followed by the practical implementation, a versatile AIchatbot service, Engati is used as a target bot with its basic free plan. Findings: The study findings reveal that AI Chatbots offer a dependable solution for the libraries to initiate virtual assistance, thus augmenting the reference service while adding a newer dimension to virtual reference service. Social implications: Innovative and intelligent information service would be overcoming the time and location barriers reaffirming the concept of “library without walls” while falling in line with the five laws of library science as propounded by Dr S.R. Ranganathan, the father of library science in India. Originality/value: Though the implementation of bots and chatbots is not a purely novel concept to explore, no such research has been conducted focusing particularly on its exceptional benefits in the library in reference to the recent pandemic.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of using ChatGPT-based chatbot systems as an alternative to traditional knowledge base-based chatbot systems in library and information centers (LICs). Design/methodology/approach: The study used a qualitative research approach to examine the viability of ChatGPT-based chatbot systems in LICs. The researchers conducted an extensive literature review and analyzed data collected from interviews with experts in the field of library and information science. Findings: The findings of the study reveal that ChatGPT-based chatbot systems are a viable alternative to traditional knowledge base-based chatbot systems in LICs. ChatGPT has the potential to provide more accurate and personalized responses to user queries, improve the user experience and reduce the workload of library staff. However, there are some limitations to the use of ChatGPT in LICs, such as the need for substantial training data and the risk of perpetuating biases. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to explore the potential of ChatGPT-based chatbot systems in the context of LICs. The research provides insights into the advantages and limitations of ChatGPT-based chatbots and highlights the possibilities for future use of this technology in the information service industry.