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

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.