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As technology continues to advance, embracing discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) in our professional circles becomes increasingly vital. Recently, I had the opportunity to facilitate a structured yet casual conversation among librarian peers about AI, focusing on its implications and potential applications in our field. This blog post shares my approach and resources used, aiming to inspire and guide other professionals interested in conducting similar discussions. Pre-Discussion Preparation: Handout and Word CloudTo ensure a comprehensive foundation for our discussion, participants were first emailed a detailed handout about a week in advance of the meeting. This document served to introduce essential concepts related to AI and ChatGPT, offering insights into how these technologies function, current applications, and key terms such as ‘Generative Pre-trained Transformer’, ‘Large Language Models’, and ‘Machine Learning.’ By explaining core concepts the handout helped equip participants with a uniform understanding, paving the way for a more productive discussion. The handout also helped level the playing field so that all participants, regardless of their prior knowledge of AI, could engage meaningfully.
Alongside the handout, a word cloud activity was employed to gauge initial sentiments about AI. Each participant was asked to select up to ten words from a list of fifty, reflecting their feelings and views on AI. This exercise not only prepared participants mentally for the discussion but also visually illustrated the group’s collective sentiments, highlighting prevalent themes like ‘curiosity’, ‘caution’, and ‘possibility’. Initiating the Discussion: Analyzing AI SentimentsOur discussion began with an analysis of the word cloud, focusing on the frequency and context of chosen words. This segment proved to be an excellent icebreaker, but also a revealing lens into the prevailing attitudes towards AI within the group. The analysis highlighted a mix of intrigue and prudence, with words like 'curiosity' and 'caution' appearing prominently, indicating a keen interest in exploring AI's potential tempered by an awareness of its ethical and practical challenges. Notably, the frequent selection of 'responsibility' and 'ethical' underscored the group's collective emphasis on the moral dimensions of AI usage. Moreover, the recurrence of terms like 'possibility', 'concern', and 'distrust' emphasized a clear recognition of both the opportunities and risks associated with AI, reflecting a nuanced understanding of AI's impact. This initial exploration set a reflective tone for the discussion that followed.
Deep Dive into AI: PresentationFollowing our initial conversation, I presented ‘Directed Intelligence: AI as a Strategic Tool for Human Enhancement.’ I crafted this presentation to emphasize an understanding of AI as a powerful tool that enhances human capabilities by automating complex tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. By drawing parallels between AI and mechanistic tools, I emphasized that AI functions within the confines of the directives set by its human creators, thereby serving as an extension of human intent. This emphasis helped illustrate how the design and directives given to AI influence its outputs, guiding participants to better understand strategies for utilizing AI to minimize biases and improve accuracy in its applications. Later in the presentation, I explored practical AI applications tailored specifically for library services. I explained how AI-driven chatbots could manage routine queries, allowing librarians to dedicate more time to complex patron interactions. I highlighted AI's potential for creative content generation, such as producing thematic reading lists, designing graphics for posters, summarizing texts, and creating engaging questions for book club discussions. Moreover, I discussed how AI could enhance readers’ advisory services and facilitate in-depth discussions on obscure texts. This capability allows patrons and librarians to explore and share excitement about literary works that are less known or discussed within their communities. I shared personal experiences where AI helped me engage with and discuss ideas from texts that were not familiar to my peers, demonstrating AI’s utility in enriching our intellectual engagement with diverse materials. The presentation also touched on the ethical dimensions of AI use in libraries, emphasizing the need for continuous oversight to ensure that AI applications align with ethical standards and effectively serve the public good. Recognizing AI’s limitations was a key theme, particularly the need to address biases in AI outputs and the importance of transparency in AI deployments to foster trust among library users.
Interactive Session: ChatGPT Demonstration and Group DiscussionThe session concluded with a hands-on demonstration of ChatGPT, vividly showcasing its capabilities and discussing its integration into library services to boost user engagement and efficiency. This interactive portion fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas, providing practical insights into AI’s applications. Reflecting on the session, it became clear that the broad and complex nature of AI topics necessitates more extensive discussion than our time allowed. To address this, I recommend allocating ample time or scheduling follow-up sessions for such discussions. Additionally, a pre-session poll on participants' familiarity with AI could assist with tailoring content to better meet the audience's needs. Moving forward, I plan to host drop-in Teams meetings to facilitate knowledge sharing, delve deeper into complex and contentious topics, and ensure all participants have the opportunity to engage fully. Encouraging Broader EngagementThis discussion format not only provided a platform for learning and sharing insights but also demystified AI technology, making it more accessible to library professionals. For those interested in hosting similar discussions, I highly recommend starting with preparatory materials and incorporating interactive elements like live demonstrations and group analyses. This approach ensures that participants are not only receivers of information but also active contributors, which enhances the learning experience and fosters a collaborative environment. I hope this guide and shared resources, including the handout, presentation slides, and word cloud analysis, inspire you to facilitate your own AI discussions, advancing our collective understanding and implementation of this transformative technology in the library world.  Generated with DALL·E.
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