The Evolution of Knowledge Management: From Analogue to Artificial Intelligence

The evolution of knowledge management (KM) reflects humanity’s continuous effort to collect, preserve, and apply knowledge to drive innovation and competitiveness. From ancient oral traditions and apprenticeship models to structured repositories and digital platforms, KM has undergone significant transformations in response to technological and organisational needs. Early KM systems centred on explicit knowledge, but they struggled to capture tacit expertise embedded in human skills and experiences. The emergence of digital transformation enabled greater accessibility, connectivity, and collaboration, yet traditional systems remained limited by their dependence on manual input and static repositories. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has marked a fundamental turning point, shifting KM from reactive and fragmented practices to dynamic, adaptive, and predictive ecosystems. This chapter traces the historical trajectory of KM, analyses the role of digital transformation, and explores AI’s transformative impact on knowledge ecosystems, emphasising the balance between human expertise and intelligent automation in shaping the future of knowledge-driven organisations.