July 2026
Tongji University is one of the top higher education institutions in China, with a longstanding history of embracing new technologies and innovations as part of our academic culture. Leveraging this foundation, the Tongji University Library is working proactively to become a user-friendly, AI-ready library that enhances learning and research in an academic environment increasingly shaped by AI.
At Tongji University Library, we see the library as more than just a resource centre; it also serves as a hub where students and researchers can develop critical thinking, foster creativity, and engage responsibly with emerging technologies. In response to the evolving technology landscape, we are working on transforming both our services and learning support to prepare our academic community for the responsible, innovative, and ethical use of AI.
In the era where AI tools are quickly entering classrooms, laboratories, and workspaces, fostering AI literacy has become a crucial part of higher education. To better equip our academic community with the requisite knowledge and skills for leveraging AI tools in learning and research, the library has initiated a year-long AI workshop series as a core part of our “AI + Library Services” strategy.
The library began by conducting a campus-wide survey to understand the AI skills, needs, and concerns of our students, faculty, and staff. Feedback from over 200 participants revealed a strong interest in practical guidance and training, particularly on topics such as generative AI tools, literature analysis and synthesis, and methods for using AI to improve research efficiency. In response, the library developed a structured workshop series focused on three key themes: “AI + Academic Resources”, “AI + Research and Learning Tools”, “AI + Ethics and Responsible Use”.
Collaborated with Student Affairs offices, Committee for Communist Youth League, and faculties, the workshop series comprised over 30 sessions throughout the year, addressing topics such as an overview of AI, prompt engineering, using AI for literature review and academic writing, AI tools for data analysis and visualization, effective interactions with large language models, and ethical use of GenAI in higher education.
A key aspect of the program is its emphasis on thinking with AI, rather than merely using AI. Training and discussions focus on how AI can assist throughout the research cycle, while highlighting the importance of human judgment, expertise, and ethical considerations. The library encourages students and researchers to see AI as a partner in learning and research, rather than relying on it to replace critical thinking.
The AI Workshop Series engaged more than 4,000 participants over the year, and feedback gathered from post-workshop surveys indicated an outstanding level of satisfaction, with 97.8% respondents rating the program as useful and beneficial to their learning and research needs. Many shared that the workshops helped them feel more confident using AI tools and better prepared to integrate AI responsibly into their academic research.
In addition to the AI literacy initiatives, the Tongji University Library is also incorporating AI technologies directly into our daily services. In 2025, the library launched “Jixiaotu”, an AI-powered intelligent chatbot capable of addressing a wide range of inquiries related to library services and resources, including borrowing policies, book and database searches, personalized resource recommendations, and learning space reservation. Available via the library website and WeChat platform, the AI chatbot has significantly enhanced the accessibility and responsiveness of our library services.
The Tongji University Library is also actively exploring AI-powered academic databases and research platforms. Scopus AI is now accessible through the institutional subscription, and we are also piloting other emerging AI-driven academic search services like Bohrium Science Navigator, which aim to assist patrons in topic discovery, literature mapping, and identifying research trends.
These AI-powered research tools help shift research from simple keyword searching toward AI-supported knowledge discovery, which enables more effective interdisciplinary exploration and improves research productivity.
As AI technologies continue to reshape every aspect of higher education, academic libraries are adopting a new role as spaces where patrons develop critical AI literacy skills, understand responsible academic practices, and build confidence in engaging with AI.
Our experience with the AI Workshop Series, intelligent assistants, and AI-enhanced research databases shows that libraries play a critical role in shaping how AI is understood and used within the academic community. The library will continue to focus on AI literacy and AI-based services, exploring cutting-edge technologies and innovative service models to boost service efficiency and enrich patrons’ experience.
We look forward to engaging in further discussions with PRRLA colleagues on AI literacy, smart library development, and the evolving role of libraries in the AI era.
For more information regarding Tongji University Library, you may refer to the website HERE.