The Impact of AI on Libraries: A Boon or Doom?

Libraries and AI: Boon or Doom? – A Comprehensive Discussion

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Introduction

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has sparked intense discussions across various sectors, and libraries are no exception. In Session 69 of the "Libraries in Response" series, experts gathered to explore the implications of AI on libraries and librarianship. Titled "Libraries and AI: Boon or Doom?", the session delved into how AI technologies like ChatGPT are influencing library services, the ethical considerations, and the future role of librarians in an AI-driven world.

Session Overview

The session was moderated by Don Means, founder of the Gigabit Libraries Network, and featured three distinguished speakers:

• Dr. Soo Young Rieh – Associate Dean for Education and Professor at the University of Texas at Austin's School of Information.
• Dr. Beth Patin – Assistant Professor at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies.
• Dr. Joe Janes – Associate Professor at the University of Washington's Information School.

The discussion centered on the impact of AI on libraries, focusing on non-technical aspects such as ethical implications, equity, information literacy, and the future of library education.

Key Discussions and Insights

1. The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Libraries

Don Means opened the session by highlighting the rapid adoption of AI technologies like ChatGPT, noting that it reached 100 million users within two months—a record-breaking achievement. This unprecedented growth signifies a profound public interest in AI and raises questions about its implications for libraries.

The central theme of the session revolved around understanding whether AI is a boon or doom for libraries. The speakers aimed to unpack this dichotomy by exploring various facets of AI's influence on library services and the profession at large.

2. AI Literacy and Education for Librarians

Dr. Soo Young Rieh's Perspective

Dr. Rieh discussed her work on an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant aimed at enhancing AI literacy among librarians. She emphasized the need for continuous education to help librarians understand and leverage AI technologies effectively.

Key points from her discussion include:

• Gap in AI Knowledge: Many librarians recognize the importance of AI but lack the resources and training to engage with it meaningfully.
• Ideal Institute on AI: Dr. Rieh and her colleagues established the "IDEAL Institute," focusing on Innovation, Disruption, Enquiry, Access, and Learning. The program offers a week-long intensive training for librarians, covering basics of AI, ethical implications, project management, and team-building skills.
• Building a Community of Practice: The institute aims to create a supportive community where librarians can share ideas, collaborate on projects, and continue learning about AI beyond the initial training.
• Challenges in Curriculum Development: Dr. Rieh highlighted the lack of AI-focused courses in library science programs, with only a small percentage offering courses on AI, machine learning, or natural language processing.

She stressed the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, bridging the gap between computer science and library science to prepare librarians for the AI era.

3. Equity, Bias, and Representation in AI

Dr. Beth Patin's Perspective

Dr. Patin focused on the social implications of AI, particularly concerning marginalized communities and indigenous knowledge systems. She raised concerns about how AI models, which are trained on vast amounts of internet data, often exclude or misrepresent voices from historically marginalized groups.

Key points from her discussion include:

• Bias in AI Training Data: AI models replicate existing societal biases because they are trained on data that reflects those biases.
• Exclusion of Marginalized Voices: Communities that lack substantial digital footprints are underrepresented in AI models, leading to a continuation of epistemicide—the erasure of knowledge systems.
• Algorithmic Reparation: Dr. Patin advocated for intentional efforts to include marginalized voices in AI training data. Libraries play a crucial role in digitizing and making accessible the histories and knowledge of these communities.
• Critical Literacy and Librarian Training: She emphasized the need for librarians to be trained in critical race theory and information ethics to recognize and address biases in AI.
• Impact on Information Literacy: With AI-generated content becoming more prevalent, librarians must help users develop skills to critically evaluate information sources.

Dr. Patin underscored that librarians have a responsibility to ensure that AI technologies do not perpetuate systemic inequities and that they work towards creating more inclusive and representative AI systems.

4. The Nature of Documents and AI-Generated Content

Dr. Joe Janes' Perspective

Dr. Janes brought a historical and philosophical lens to the discussion, examining how AI challenges traditional notions of documents and authorship.

Key points from his discussion include:

• Redefining Documents: AI-generated content blurs the lines between traditional documents created by humans and machine-generated text.
• Authenticity and Authority: Librarians must grapple with questions about the authenticity of AI-generated content and how to provide context and credibility assessments to users.
• Cataloging Challenges: The influx of AI-generated materials poses challenges for cataloging and organizing library collections.
• Impact on Cultural Records: AI content could become part of the cultural record, necessitating strategies for preservation and access while acknowledging its unique origins.
• Economic Factors: Dr. Janes noted that AI-generated content is cheaper to produce, which might lead resource-strapped institutions to rely on it more heavily, potentially at the expense of quality and representation.

He highlighted the need for librarians to develop new frameworks and policies to address the complexities introduced by AI in the realm of information creation and dissemination.

5. Ethical Considerations and the Role of Librarians

The speakers collectively emphasized the ethical responsibilities of librarians in the age of AI. Key considerations include:

• Information Literacy Education: Librarians must teach users how to critically evaluate AI-generated content, understand its limitations, and recognize potential biases.
• Advocacy for Inclusivity: Librarians should advocate for the inclusion of diverse voices in AI datasets and work towards mitigating biases in AI systems.
• Policy Development: There is a need for developing policies and guidelines on how libraries handle AI-generated content, including issues of citation, authenticity, and preservation.
• Collaboration Across Disciplines: Building partnerships between library science and computer science can help create AI tools that are ethical, equitable, and aligned with the values of librarianship.
• User Privacy and Data Ethics: Librarians must be vigilant about user privacy, especially as AI systems often rely on large amounts of data that could infringe on individual privacy rights.

6. Challenges and Opportunities for Rural and Small Libraries

An important point raised during the session was the impact of AI on rural and small libraries, which often lack resources and professionally trained staff.

Key considerations include:

• Capacity Building: There is a need for state libraries and larger institutions to support small libraries in building capacity to engage with AI technologies.
• Equity in Access: Ensuring that patrons in rural areas have access to the benefits of AI without exacerbating existing inequalities.
• Training and Education: Developing scalable training programs for library staff who may not have formal library science education.
• Community Engagement: Small libraries can play a pivotal role in educating their communities about AI and its implications.

The discussion highlighted the importance of inclusivity and support to prevent a digital divide in AI literacy and access.

7. The Future Role of Librarians

The session concluded with reflections on how librarians can navigate the evolving landscape shaped by AI:

• Embracing AI as a Tool: Rather than viewing AI solely as a threat, librarians can leverage AI technologies to enhance services, such as automating cataloging processes or providing personalized recommendations.
• Focus on Human-Centered Services: With AI handling routine tasks, librarians can dedicate more time to community engagement, programming, and supporting users' informational needs.
• Continual Learning: The dynamic nature of AI necessitates ongoing professional development and staying informed about technological advancements.
• Ethical Stewardship: Librarians must uphold ethical standards, advocating for transparency, accountability, and fairness in AI applications.

Conclusion

The "Libraries and AI: Boon or Doom?" session provided a multifaceted exploration of AI's impact on libraries. The consensus among the speakers is that AI presents both challenges and opportunities. While there are legitimate concerns about bias, equity, and the authenticity of AI-generated content, there is also potential for AI to enhance library services and empower librarians to focus on more strategic, community-oriented roles.

Librarians are called upon to be proactive in addressing the ethical implications of AI, to advocate for inclusive and fair AI practices, and to equip themselves and their patrons with the skills necessary to navigate an AI-influenced information landscape.

Unlocking Every Child's Potential: Leveraging AI in Education

Transforming Education with Artificial Intelligence

Introduction

The speaker shares a personal journey from being a student predicted to fail academically to achieving exceptional academic success. This transformation was not due to any special innate abilities but rather a discovery of fundamental truths about how the brain naturally learns. The talk emphasizes the mismatch between traditional educational methods and the brain's natural learning processes and proposes leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize education and unlock every child's potential.

Personal Story

• Doctors told the speaker's mother that there was a 50% chance he wouldn't survive birth and, if he did, he might be brain-damaged and unlikely to achieve much.
• He was slow to walk, talk, and learn, struggling to maintain a C average in primary and high school.
• Despite this, he earned a PhD in cognitive science, received a university medal for outstanding academic achievement, and ranked in the top 1% of the student population.
• The key to this dramatic turnaround was understanding and applying basic principles of how the brain learns.

The Brain's Natural Learning Processes

Innate Thirst for Knowledge

• Humans are hardwired to learn and derive joy from learning.
• The highest concentration of endorphin receptors is found in the brain's learning centers.
• We learn fundamental skills like crawling, grasping, and walking through self-directed exploration and play.

The Inverted U-Shape of Learning Pleasure

• Endorphin release in the learning centers follows an inverted U-shape concerning familiarity.
• Things that are too familiar are boring; things that are too unfamiliar are aversive.
• Information on the periphery of our knowledge—slightly challenging yet achievable—is highly pleasurable.
• Examples:
• Facebook is addictive because it constantly provides new information at the edge of our knowledge.
• Children naturally explore and learn through activities that extend their capabilities.

Robotic Experiments Demonstrating Natural Learning

• The speaker conducted experiments using robots equipped with basic vision, hearing, and reflexes, along with a 'happiness' function (preference for exploring new but not overwhelming experiences).
• Robots initially behaved randomly but gradually learned hand-eye coordination and how to interact with their environment.
• This mimics how children learn through self-exploration and finding joy in new experiences.

The Mismatch in Traditional Education

• Traditional classrooms present a set curriculum at a set pace, not accounting for individual differences.
• Some students are ahead and bored; others are behind and find learning aversive.
• Few students receive information at the optimal point for their learning—the periphery of their knowledge.
• A study in North America showed that 63% of students are disengaged in school.
• This disengagement is not the students' fault but a systemic issue.

Need for Transformation in Education

• Referencing Sir Ken Robinson, the speaker asserts that education doesn't need reform but transformation.
• Advocates for less standardization and more personalization in learning.
• Recognizes the challenge for teachers, who are already among the top 10 most stressful occupations, to personalize education for each student.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Education

The speaker proposes that AI can serve as an intelligent tutor, personalizing education to match each student's learning needs.

Three Levels of AI in Education

Level 1: Rote Learning

• AI can optimize rote learning through spaced repetition and active recall.
• Spaced repetition involves reviewing information just before it is likely to be forgotten, strengthening memory retention.
• Active recall (e.g., using flashcards) is more effective than passive study methods like re-reading or highlighting.
• AI systems can track what each student knows and present the right material at the right time, which is impossible for a teacher to manage individually.
• The speaker demonstrates a software system that allows teachers to create interactive lessons with personalized quizzes and exercises.

Level 2: Active Learning

• Generative AI can create its own questions and problems tailored to the student's skill level.
• For example, in music education, AI can generate music pieces that match the student's abilities and provide feedback.
• Applicable to various subjects like touch typing, mathematics, and more.
• Transforms the classroom by replacing traditional lectures with AI-enabled e-learning platforms.
• Frees teachers to focus on inspiring students, explaining the importance of the material, and facilitating group projects that link learning to real-world interests.

Level 3: Integrative AI (The Future)

• Combines generative AI with advanced technologies like virtual reality and gesture recognition.
• Immersive learning experiences can be created, such as virtual environments for language learning or using gesture recognition to teach dance, martial arts, or sign language.
• Aims to present exactly what the student needs to learn at that moment for optimal learning.

The Potential Impact of AI on Education

• AI is advancing exponentially and has the potential to transform education fundamentally.
• If implemented correctly, it can unlock every child's hidden potential and enable them to live full, rich, and valued lives.

Call to Action

The speaker emphasizes that while AI offers powerful tools, there are things everyone can do now to improve education.

"Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel."

– Attributed to Socrates

• Every child needs someone to delight in them, help them find their natural joy and curiosity.
• We should help children explore topics that fascinate them at their own pace.
• Encourages educators and individuals to be the ones who help kindle the flame of learning in children.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes by reiterating the transformative power of aligning education with how the brain naturally learns and the pivotal role AI can play in this process. By embracing personalized learning through AI, we can move away from a one-size-fits-all education system to one that truly nurtures each child's unique potential.

The Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Structural Racism: Understanding the Connection

Understanding Structural Racism in AI Systems

Presented by Craig Watkins, Visiting Professor at MIT and Professor at the University of Texas at Austin

Introduction

Craig Watkins discusses the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and structural racism, emphasizing the critical need to address systemic inequalities in the development and deployment of AI technologies. He highlights initiatives at MIT and the University of Texas at Austin aimed at fostering interdisciplinary approaches to create fair and equitable AI systems that have real-world positive impacts.

Key Points

The Impact of AI on Marginalized Communities

• Instances where facial recognition software has falsely identified Black men, leading to wrongful arrests.
• These cases underscore the potential of AI to replicate systemic forms of inequality if not carefully designed and monitored.

Challenges of Defining Fairness in AI

• Machine learning practitioners have developed over 20 different definitions of fairness, highlighting its complexity.
• Debate over whether AI models should be aware of race to prevent implicit biases or unaware to avoid explicit discrimination.
• Fair algorithms may not address deeply embedded structural inequalities if they assume equal starting points for all individuals.

Understanding Structural Racism

• Structural racism refers to systemic inequalities embedded within societal institutions and systems.
• It manifests in interconnected disparities across various domains, such as housing, credit markets, education, and health.
• These disparities are often less visible and more challenging to address than interpersonal racism.

Case Study: Housing and Credit Markets

• Homeownership is a primary pathway to wealth accumulation and access to quality education, health care, and social networks.
• Discriminatory practices in credit markets have historically limited access to homeownership for marginalized groups.
• AI-driven financial services aiming to address biases may inadvertently introduce data surveillance and privacy concerns.

Interconnected Systems of Inequality

• Disparities in one system (e.g., credit markets) are linked to disparities in others (e.g., housing, education).
• Addressing structural racism requires understanding and tackling these interconnected systems holistically.
• Designing AI models that account for this complexity is a significant computational and ethical challenge.

The Role of Education and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Emphasizes the importance of training both AI developers and users to recognize and mitigate biases.
• Advocates for interdisciplinary approaches combining technical expertise with social science insights.
• Highlights initiatives at MIT and UT Austin focused on integrating these perspectives into AI research and education.

Conclusion

Craig Watkins calls for the development of AI systems that not only avoid perpetuating systemic inequalities but actively work to dismantle them. He stresses the need for educating the next generation of AI practitioners and users to make ethical, responsible decisions, and to be aware of the societal impact of their work.

Key Quote

Referencing Robert Williams, a man wrongly arrested due to faulty facial recognition software:

"This obviously isn’t me. Why am I here?"

The police responded, "Well, it looks like the computer got it wrong."

This exchange underscores the profound consequences of unchecked AI systems and the urgent need for responsible design and implementation.

Demystifying Ethical AI: Understanding the Jargon and Principles

The Many Flavors of AI: Terms, Jargon, and Definitions You Need to Know

Introduction

The presenter discusses the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly focusing on the terminology and jargon associated with ethical AI. Using an ice cream analogy, the presentation aims to help librarians and information professionals understand and keep up with various AI concepts to better assist their patrons, colleagues, and stakeholders.

Importance for Librarians

• Librarians have a foundational responsibility to understand AI tools and systems.
• AI is not just filtering information but also creating it, affecting how information is accessed and used.
• Similar to past technological shifts (e.g., Google, Wikipedia), AI is a bellwether of change in information science.
• Librarians need to lead the charge in ethical AI usage and education.

The Ice Cream Analogy of Ethical AI

The presenter uses different ice cream flavors to represent various terms related to ethical AI:

1. Ethical AI (Vanilla)

• Principles and values guiding the development, deployment, and use of AI systems.
• Focuses on fairness, accountability, and transparency.
• Ensures AI aligns with societal values and ethical principles.

2. Responsible AI (Chocolate)

• Actions and practices organizations should take to ensure AI is developed and used responsibly.
• Includes risk management, stakeholder engagement, and governance.
• Emphasizes organizational norms and the practical implementation of ethical standards.

3. Transparent AI (Strawberry)

• AI systems where the inner workings are visible (glass-box vs. black-box systems).
• Transparency in development processes and usage purposes.
• Not necessarily explainable; complexity can still hinder understanding.

4. Explainable AI (Pistachio)

• AI systems whose operations can be understood and explained to users.
• Not always transparent; proprietary systems may be explainable without revealing inner workings.
• Important for building trust and accountability.

5. Accessible AI (Peach)

• AI systems that are usable by a wide range of people, including those with disabilities.
• Focus on inclusivity in design and implementation.
• Examples include AI with spoken captions or image descriptions.

6. Open AI (Not to be Confused with OpenAI)

• AI systems with open-source code, open development environments, and accessible documentation.
• Emphasizes transparency and community involvement.
• Being open doesn't necessarily mean being ethical or responsible.

7. Trustworthy AI (Blueberry)

• AI systems that are reliable and operate as intended.
• Trustworthiness depends on who is assessing it and for what purpose.
• Often paired with transparency and explainability but not guaranteed.

8. Consistent AI (Lemon Sherbet)

• AI systems that operate reliably and produce consistent results.
• Consistency does not imply trustworthiness or ethical behavior.
• Consistent AI may consistently exhibit biases or other issues.

Key Takeaways

• Terminology around AI can be misleading; terms like "transparent," "open," or "trustworthy" are not guarantees of ethical behavior.
• Librarians should critically evaluate AI systems beyond surface-level labels.
• Understanding these distinctions helps librarians guide users in the proper use of AI tools.

Recommendations for Staying Informed

The presenter suggests following key figures in the field of ethical AI to stay updated:

• Timnit Gebru: Former Google researcher specializing in AI ethics.
• Abhishek Gupta
• Carey Miller
• Reid Blackman: Hosts a podcast series on AI ethics and responsibility.
• Laura Mueller
• Ryan Carrier
• Kurt Cagle
• Norman Mooradian: Professor at San Jose State University with extensive research on ethical AI.

Q&A Highlights

During the question and answer session, the following points were discussed:

1. Importance of AI Literacy

• Librarians should educate themselves and patrons about AI tools.
• AI literacy includes understanding the limitations and proper uses of AI.

2. Transparency and Open AI

• OpenAI's transparency has been questioned; "open" does not always mean fully transparent.
• Critical evaluation of AI companies and their claims is necessary.

3. Explaining AI to Users

• AI systems like ChatGPT predict language based on training data, which includes a vast range of internet content.
• Librarians should guide users on when and how to use AI tools appropriately.

4. Understanding Algorithms

• An algorithm is the foundational code that dictates how an AI system operates.
• Algorithms can embed biases based on how they process training data.

5. FAIR AI

• FAIR stands for Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.
• Applying FAIR principles to AI and machine learning is an emerging area.

6. Hallucinations in AI

• AI hallucinations occur when AI systems generate incorrect or fabricated information.
• Important for librarians to educate users about verifying AI-generated content.

Conclusion

The presenter emphasizes that AI is a tool—neither inherently good nor bad—and it's crucial for librarians to stay informed and lead in ethical AI practices. By understanding the nuances of AI terminology and concepts, librarians can better assist users and influence responsible AI development and use.

Revolutionizing Library UX: Using AI to Enhance Website Usability

Improving Library Website Usability with AI

Presented by Elisa Saphier, Librarian at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU)

Introduction

Elisa discusses how librarians can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the usability of library websites. She shares her personal experiments and insights using AI tools, particularly generative AI models like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, to support various aspects of website usability and user experience (UX) design.

Context and Motivation

• Elisa has extensive experience as a technologist, systems librarian, and web librarian.
• She is co-teaching an introductory course on research with AI, focusing on information literacy.
• Her goal is to gain practical experience with AI to understand its capabilities and limitations in improving library website usability.

Challenges with AI

• Lack of substantial literature on using AI for library website usability improvements.
• Common issues with AI include biases, hallucinations, ethical concerns, intellectual property rights, privacy, and environmental impacts.
• Emphasizes the importance of a "trust but verify" approach when using AI tools.

Applications of AI in Library Website Usability

AI Chatbots

• Discussed the potential and challenges of integrating AI-powered chatbots in libraries.
• Noted that chatbots have been considered in libraries for years but require careful implementation.
• Encouraged sharing experiences with AI chatbots like Springshare's LibChat or Google's Dialogflow.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Stressed the need for collecting user data through surveys, interviews, and usage statistics to inform website improvements.
• Mentioned the System Usability Scale (SUS) as a tool for evaluating user reactions to websites.

User Personas and Stories

• Used ChatGPT to generate user personas for CCSU's library website redesign.
• Identified biases and stereotypes in AI-generated personas, such as lack of diversity and reinforcing stereotypes.
• Highlighted the importance of involving community members to ensure accurate and respectful representations.

Customer/User Journey Mapping

• Explored how AI can assist in creating user journey maps to understand user interactions with the library website.
• Used AI to identify phases where users might disengage and to develop strategies to enhance user engagement.

Usability Testing

• Suggested using AI to generate sample tasks for usability testing of the library website.
• Referenced a compiled Google Sheet of usability tasks used by various libraries as a resource.

Analyzing User Feedback

• Employed tools like Whisper AI to transcribe and analyze audio and video feedback from users.
• Used AI to summarize key points and extract actionable insights from user feedback.

Improving Navigation and Information Architecture

• Attempted to use AI for creating site maps and evaluating the website's navigation structure.
• Faced challenges with AI not providing accurate or high-quality outputs when analyzing their specific website.
• Described difficulties in using AI to parse HTML code for card sorting exercises, encountering limitations in AI's understanding.

Design Inspiration

• Used AI to identify exemplary academic library websites (e.g., MIT, Stanford, Michigan, Harvard, Oxford) for inspiration.
• Considered analyzing these websites' navigation and terminology to adopt best practices.

Code Improvements

• Utilized AI to improve website code, such as replacing "click here" links with more accessible and descriptive text.
• Faced challenges with AI in generating code that met specific requirements, requiring multiple iterations and clarifications.

Usage Data Analysis

• Explored using AI to define user conversion funnels and metrics in Google Analytics.
• Aimed to understand user paths, engagement levels, and points where users drop off.

Reflections on AI

• Noted that AI can provide generic or inaccurate suggestions not tailored to specific contexts.
• Described AI as "weird" due to its unpredictable behavior and occasional misalignment with user intentions.
• Emphasized the necessity for librarians to engage with AI critically, given its growing influence on the information ecosystem.

Conclusion

Elisa invites fellow librarians and colleagues to share their experiences and collaborate in exploring AI's potential in enhancing library services. She underscores the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technologies.