The Full SLAAIT

Hello readers!

The San Diego in-person and synchronous Zoom meeting was both productive and great fun. We had about a dozen attendees at the San Diego Public Library and about 10 more online. There was much enthusiasm, sharing of ideas, and interest in upcoming initiatives, both from SLAAIT itself and among its individual members.

This afternoon at 2:00pm CST, Michelle Bradley will be leading a seminar on the State Library of Michigan's AI Discussion Group. You may join that here.

On July 16th, Megan Hammond, Library Development Administrator for the Arizona State Library, led a seminar on AI Training and Arizona Libraries. You may view a recording of that here.

On both June 25th and the 29th, SLAAIT researcher Leila led a seminar on the use of AI in the context of book banning. You may view a recording of that here.

Of great interest has been the release of SLAAIT's AI Petting Zoo, which allows users to test drive some various AI technology without having to invest in it oneself. Instructions for logging on can be viewed here.

Lively discussion and some really profound thoughts were expressed at the California meeting. Here's some notable quotables.

Randy Riley, the State Librarian of Michigan, said of librarians' questioning AI's encroachment, "Is AI going to replace me? No, a librarian who knows how to use AI will replace you." This was an excellent commentary on how and why we need to explore technologies to best serve both patrons and our states' librarians.

Dianne Connery, Director of the Pottsboro Area Library, discussed her use of an "AI Librarian." Her staff recorded their most commonly asked questions from patrons, and then created a customized ChatGPT according to these questions and their answers. A computer with this ChatGPT was placed at an easily accessible kiosk for patrons to use. It also provided patrons access to ask the GPT about available resources, e.g., "I've been evicted. Where can I go for help?"

Jude Guzzy, with Washington State Library's department of Library Development, spoke bout the everyday easy ways in which AI can be used by (especially rural) libraries to reach its patrons. She discussed the use of "AI Prompts of the Day," to help patrons learn how to use AI. She provided an example of, "I'm having a hosting a BBQ," to give patrons an opportunity to explore AI's ability to create menus, activities, inspire creativity, etc.

While in San Diego, I had the privilege of attending a keynote speech by Dr. Jared Schroeder. His new book The Structure of Ideas: Mapping a New Theory of Free Expression in the AI Era was published July 1st.

His speech alluded to a massively changing societal landscape before us. He spoke about the horror stories we hear about AI (e.g., deepfakes, malevolent use, harmful output) are a symptom, not the problem. The problem, he said, is that we know AI is going to bring massive change, but we don't know what that change will be. Consequently, we cannot know what related/concomitant/resultant effects will be, and that AI itself is a moving target.

Regarding discussing the changing landscape that AI will affect, Dr. Schroeder says, “Truth assumptions for this space have to change.” He also posed questions such as, “Should AI be protected by the First Amendment?” It was a great talk, and I look forward to reading his book.

Did anyone else see/hear a fantastic AI presentation? We'd love to hear about it! Email Leila or post on the Google Group.