Jinfo: Seven priorities for information leaders in an AI-enabled environment

Seven priorities for information leaders in an AI-enabled environment
Jinfo Blog

24th February 2026

Abstract

The recent Jinfo community session on how AI is reshaping the work of information professionals attracted more than 40 participants, who shared their experiences and perspectives throughout the discussion.

The following insights suggest that those who adapt their positioning, clarify their value and design work intentionally around judgement and quality are well placed to thrive as AI continues to evolve. Full findings are published in a new Jinfo report.

Item

Building on the community session "Team demand and AI", and conversations with Jinfo members, we have identified seven key areas that require focused attention from information managers:

Reposition to become a trusted expert on AI
Move from gatekeeper to advisor – demonstrate fluency in AI tools, content use and limitations to shape outcomes rather than block them.
Understand why AI often increases demand
Faster access raises expectations and complexity; value shifts from "time saved", to "judgement applied" and "risk mitigated".
Design distinct verification and validation roles
Clarify evolving responsibilities by separating fact-checking and source confirmation from contextual, judgement-based assessment.
Help stakeholders choose the right tool for the task
Advise on tool selection – understand strengths, limits and data sources. In this way, the information research team remains a specialist and strategic capability.
Embed quality and trust in AI-enabled work
Act as a quality backstop where the cost of error is high, ensuring defensible and reliable outputs.
Train end-users for judgement, not just adoption
Focus training on evaluation, scepticism and ethical use – not simply how to use the tool.
Set realistic expectations for AI workflows
AI initiatives require governance, testing and ongoing effort; immediate capacity gains are rare.

You will find a more detailed discussion of the different topics in the new Jinfo Report "Seven priorities for information leaders as AI becomes an everyday tool".

At the end of the day, AI is changing how information is accessed, but it is also changing where value sits. Speed and scale are becoming commoditised. Judgement, context and trust are not.

For information managers, the challenge is not to compete with AI, but to make their expertise visible and indispensable in an AI-enabled environment.

About this article