International Journal of Educational Research and Library & Information Science

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into educational environments and library information systems has transformed learning, research, and information access through personalization, automation, and data-driven decision-making. While these developments enhance efficiency, engagement, and service delivery, they also introduce complex ethical and privacy challenges that require systematic examination. This paper critically explores the ethical implications of AI adoption in education and libraries, with particular emphasis on privacy, autonomy, fairness, equity, transparency, and governance. Drawing on contemporary literature and ethical frameworks, the study analyzes how algorithmic decision-making, learning analytics, recommender systems, and intelligent tutoring tools affect learners, educators, librarians, and institutions. It highlights tensions between personalization and privacy, efficiency and human agency, and innovation and social justice. The paper further examines issues of bias, accessibility, and the digital divide, emphasizing the risk of reinforcing existing inequalities if AI systems are poorly governed. Governance mechanisms, stakeholder participation, institutional policy development, and fairness auditing are discussed as essential components of responsible AI deployment. By synthesizing ethical principles with methodological approaches such as impact assessments, evidence-based evaluation, and transparency measures, the study proposes a human-centric pathway for ethical AI adoption. The findings underscore the need for continuous oversight, inclusive design, and privacy-conscious practices to ensure that AI serves educational and library missions without compromising fundamental rights and values.