Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Information Professionals
At Library Futures, we believe technological innovations hold both promise and peril for libraries and the communities they serve. Embracing both means speaking openly and honestly about what emerging technologies are, what they are capable of, and what they can’t and won’t do. Tomorrow we kick off a new webinar series on “AI” to unpack the good, bad, and ugly with a panel of distinguished guests. Join us once monthly for this four-part series on machine learning, large language models, and how these tools are impacting libraries.
All events are held on Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Some sessions will not be recorded. RSVP at the links below.
What We Talk About When We Talk About AI
Thursday, September 25
In the first session, we’ll be joined by Dr. Chris Gilliard (aka hypervisible), an author, activist, and algorithmic expert, who will break down the hype around “AI” and offer an explanation of what these systems actually do. Then Dr. Christa Albrecht-Crane, Professor of English and author of the “Writing Off Code” newsletter, will show us behind the scenes of a large language model. This session will not be recorded, so tune in live for a deep dive you won’t want to miss!
Legal and Ethical Issues in AI
Thursday, October 30
Session two features legal and social science experts, including data journalist Meredith Broussard and policy counsel Nick Garcia, to discuss the legal and ethical landscape of AI in libraries.
Resisting the Vendor Machine: Contracts, Corporations, and Libraries
Thursday, November 20
Guest speakers for the third session will be announced closer to the event. The session will explore changes to vendor contracts and library/vendor relations as “AI” has taken a larger role in the products libraries purchase and/or rent from vendors.
Information Literacy in the Age of GenAI
Thursday, December 11
Guest speakers for the final session will be announced closer to the event. The panel discussion will focus on GenAI’s impact on learning and literacy, ranging from library services such as reference and instruction to advanced research support and beyond.
