New Clarivate Study Examines the Impact of Academic AI on Core Library Workflows
Research reveals efficiency gains, increased capacity and shifts in workflow design
London, U.K. Mar 24, 2026. Clarivate Plc (NYSE:CLVT), a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, today announced the launch of a new Academic AI Impact study. The study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping core workflows in academic libraries and delivering tangible operational benefits.
AI tools are increasingly prevalent in research and learning environments, but there is little existing data that demonstrates the quantifiable benefits of AI tools. This study offers an indication of its positive impact on libraries. Drawing on in-depth interviews with library professionals from a diverse set of institutions, the study documents the integration and impact of AI solutions in two central workflows—course reading list preparation with Leganto Syllabus Assistant, and metadata creation and enrichment with Alma AI Metadata Assistant.
Key findings from the study include:
- 30–60% reduction in time spent on repetitive, manual tasks, enabling staff to shift their focus toward higher-value activities.
- 2–4 times increase in workflow capacity without additional staffing, enabling more records and course materials to be processed within existing teams.
- 50–60% of reading lists were immediately available for students after AI processing.
- 70–90% of AI-generated metadata was accepted with only minor edits, underscoring both efficiency and quality.
Oren Beit-Arie, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Innovation, Academia & Government at Clarivate, said: “Our paper provides evidence-based insights into how AI is supporting academic libraries and improving library impact by complementing, rather than replacing, roles. It outlines considerations for library leaders on the next phase of AI adoption, keeping human judgment at the center. The examples in this study highlight the potential of Academic AI, from libraries working through cataloguing backlogs to surfacing hidden collections, to recovering course readiness during peak academic periods and redesigning workflows to support readiness at scale.”
Melissa Gomis, Associate Professor of Practice, Chair, Collections Strategy & Open Scholarship, University Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said: “I see AI as a tool that invites libraries to be intentional about how we spend our time and where we add the most value. If it can accurately and efficiently take on some of the repetitive or data-intensive work, it allows us to focus more fully on the relational, instructional, and strategic aspects of our roles. When used thoughtfully, AI isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about creating the space and resources to deepen our impact and better serve our communities.”
Methodology
The study, conducted by Emerging Strategy on behalf of Clarivate, is based on in-depth qualitative interviews with library professionals – 11 interviewees based in eight academic institutions across North and Latin America, and the Middle East, who use AI solutions in their daily workflows. Participants include R1 research universities, mid-sized comprehensive institutions and international universities with multilingual collections. The study relies on self-reported time comparisons, volume metrics and workflow contrast analysis. The findings represent directional evidence from institutional experiences. For more details about the methodology, see here.
To learn more, please visit our Academic AI Impact study site.
For more information about AI solutions for Academia, visit our Academic AI site.
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About Clarivate
Clarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit www.clarivate.com
Media contact:
Helen Chung-Kesl, Manager, External Communications
