From information literacy to health literacy: AI-driven transformation in university libraries under digital public health—a perspective

In the context of digital public health, the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into health information environments challenges the adequacy of traditional information literacy frameworks in academic libraries. This perspective article argues for a transition from information literacy to AI-mediated health literacy education. It clarifies the conceptual distinctions between these two constructs, analyzes the AI-driven mechanisms reshaping educational paradigms, and identifies key institutional, technological, professional, and evaluative challenges. The article further proposes practical pathways that include mission reorientation, professional capacity building, platform development, collaborative governance, and evaluation system construction. This study advances existing literature by proposing an integrated, AI-mediated framework. This framework reconceptualizes health literacy within the context of digital public health. It also operationalizes this transformation through three interconnected dimensions: technological, educational, and governance-related. By outlining a theoretical framework and actionable strategies, it positions academic libraries as essenti