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Over the past 1.5 to 2 years, artificial intelligence (AI) companies have begun to voraciously mine the vast data accumulated by libraries. One audience member asked during a session at the Beixco Odi Theater in Busan's Haeundae District, "Do you think there will be an end to this?" Judy Kong, Chief Information Officer at the United States Congressional Library and a former information specialist for 30 years, paused to think before answering, "No, they are here to stay.

However, as public libraries, we should welcome their utilization of our data. We must find ways to protect our information network, though." The scene underscores the deep dilemma facing libraries in the age of AI. The World Library and Information Congress (WLIC), an annual event organized by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), took place in Busan to discuss the future and role of libraries amid the AI and censorship crisis.

This marked the 20th time the international conference has been held in Korea after the 2006 Seoul conference. The conference's slogan for this year, "Leading Libraries in Change," reflected the unique tension of libraries facing an unprecedented qualitative crisis, much like the world's crises. In the opening ceremony, there was a call for libraries to actively respond to the changes triggered by AI.

Russell Worth, President of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, warned that "if we do not act, the disparity in access to information and knowledge will become the greatest sin in the real world. Libraries should not cling to the notion that they resist change, but rather find the most helpful ways to serve their communities while facing risks."

The atmosphere was filled with calls for libraries to "dare to be bold" at various sessions throughout the conference. During the "Libraries' Response to the Impact of Collection (Crawling) by AI Companies" session, the impact and response situations of libraries in the US, Germany, Singapore, Qatar, and Norway were shared. They declared "safe coexistence" as they spoke with their voices.

Dr. Areif Shahn of the National Library of Qatar said, "It is a very challenging strategic question to protect digital infrastructure while making cultural heritage as open as possible," expressing his anxiety that "we still don't have a definite solution." The conference continued for three days until the 13th, with 44 national librarians, including newly appointed National Central Library Director of South Korea, participating on the 11th.

They planned to announce 'Busan Declaration' stating the libraries' crisis and outlook. Meanwhile, the organizers of the conference awarded the 'Public Library of the Year' to the newly constructed 'Mesa Gateway Library' in the desert landscape of Arizona, USA.