Exploring AI

Many of you have seen more about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the news and on social media and what the future may look like. The potential applications of AI are limitless, and libraries are a natural fit for implementing and exploring the use of AI in the field.

Universities and libraries are discussing the applications of AI in education and creating policies about the use and ethical considerations surrounding AI. The UWSP librarians continue conversations about AI and how we can be informed participants in AI discussions and what the applications are for our students and our information literacy instruction.

Computer scientist and futurist, Ray Kurzweil, said this about AI and libraries/librarians: “The codification of knowledge and the process of enhancing human learning will be the cornerstones of the next phase of human history. In the second industrial revolution, the wealth and power of nations will be based on non-material resources, by the ability to create and facilitate knowledge. Seen in this light, the librarian is a natural leader for the age of knowledge that is now unfolding.”

As we continue our conversations about AI in the libraries with colleagues, we have created an AI Research Guide as a starting point for you to explore. We also invite you to build on our guide with other resources you think are important to include (contact us here librefd@uwsp.edu).

It is an exciting and sometimes scary time to think about the potential of AI and how it will change our lives. We are prepared for the challenge.