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 three features legal and social science experts, including data journalist Meredith Broussard, and policy counsel Nick Garcia, and copyright and fair use expert Brandon Butler to discuss the legal and ethical landscape of AI in libraries.
Resisting the Vendor Machine: Contracts, Corporations, and Libraries
Thursday, November 20
When it comes to vendor contracts and AI, who has the power? And how can we take it back? Join our panel of experts for a lively discussion on how to resist the vendor machine and put information in the hands of libraries, where it belongs.
Join guest speakers Stephanie “Cole” Adams, UC Berkeley Licensing Librarian Samantha Teremi, Library Futures Staff Attorney Layla Maurer, and University of Maryland PhD student Hayley Park for the event!
Information Literacy in the Age of GenAI
Thursday, December 11
Information literacy is among librarianship’s most important teachings. What happens when generative AI enters the spaces where students research, learn, and work? Join Dr. Andrea Baer, Dr. Damien Patrick Williams, and Mita Williams for a conversation on the role of libraries in the age of GenAI.
