Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Libraries: From Training to Innovation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a disruptive but transformative technology that can bring value to libraries by enabling increased library use, optimizing collection analysis, and enhancing the user experience. Library and information professionals must keep abreast of advances in AI technologies in order to provide innovative and value-added services, access, and collection development. Issues about inequality, discrimination, data privacy, and bias, combined with the costs and evolving nature of AI, influence the adoption of AI in academic, research, and other libraries and information environments. This growing interest in AI in the library and information field also recognizes the need to address ethical, political, social, and legal implications of AI as well as technical advancement.

This panel aims to bring together library practitioners, researchers, educators, students and stakeholders to learn from the team leaders and Fellows engaged in the IDEA Institute on AI and discuss the opportunities and challenges of AI in library and information environments. The IDEA (Innovation, Disruption, Enquiry, Access) Institute on AI was created to fill a gap in training on AI in libraries. The Institute Is a one-week intensive, interactive, evidence-based and applications-oriented professional development program for library and information professionals funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program. The Institute will create two cohorts of culturally diverse Fellows through the nationwide efforts of recruiting library and information professionals who represent diverse socio-demographic backgrounds, types of positions, types of libraries, and capacities of implementing AI in their workplace. The purpose of the IDEA Institute is to build and enhance the knowledge and skills of current and future library and information professionals in AI through developing theoretical (conceptual) and practical experiences in a collaborative learning environment. Goals of the IDEA Institute on AI include:
1. Develop an innovative and continuing education program on AI in library and information environments.
2. Develop AI leaders in library and information environments, who individually, and as a collective, can innovate and create better awareness of AI as "transformative" technology.
3. Contribute AI curriculum to fill a gap in AI education in LIS programs and library and information environments.

The Institute has partnered with the American Library Association and the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) who are supporting the Institute with promotion,
recruitment and outreach, and providing conference programming opportunities and engagement.

This panel introduces AI in libraries, the IDEA Institute on AI, and selected projects by the Institute Fellows, and concludes with a discussion on the pressing issues and ethical questions in AI implementation, and opportunities to learn about AI in libraries. IDEA Fellow project areas include: Enhancing existing collections, AI in Learning and Discovery, Chatbots in Libraries, and Enhancing Library Management and Planning. Questions which may be discussed include:
(1) How do AI-powered libraries enhance services and management?
(2) How to design AI applications and technologies that empower human and enhance human capacity (e.g., work performance, human learning, content generation, informed decision making)?
(3) How to address threats in developing fair, transparent, explainable, and trustworthy AI applications in library and information environments?
(4) What is AI literacy in library and information environments?

Panelists (including facilitators):
Clara M. Chu, Director and Mortenson Distinguished Professor, Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Soo Young Rieh, Professor and Associate Dean for Education, School of Information, University of Texas at Austin, USA (rieh@ischool.utexas.edu)
Martha Alvarado Anderson, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Digital Services Department Head, University Libraries, University of Arkansas; 2021 IDEA Institute on AI Fellow
Trevor Watkins, Teaching and Outreach Librarian, George Mason University Libraries; 2021 IDEA Institute on AI Fellow