Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a ubiquitous topic. Looking at social media and technology news gives the impression that the world abounds in AI experts and superusers. But that is misleading.
For most of us, including those of us at the libraries of higher ed institutions facing financial and enrollment challenges, AI can seem an especially daunting topic. We should pay attention. After all, will AI take our jobs? But there is so much else to do just to keep our libraries and our institutions above water.
Is there a doable open educational resource (OER) that can help us face this fast-moving topic?
I believe there is –
https://softoption.us/AIandLibrarianship
The author is Professor Emeritus, School of Information at the University of Arizona.
As befits a topic that moves at hyper speed, the book—originally published in 2023—already has a third edition as of August 2024.
The first eight chapters of the third edition can serve as an introduction to AI, chatbots, large language models, bias in AI, etc.
It is chapters 10 through 15 that directly tie AI to libraries and librarians—opportunities and pitfalls. The author devotes separate chapters to the roles he thinks librarians can play—as Synergists, Sentries, Educators, Managers, and “Astronauts.”
Bibliography is plentiful, and the writing can be punchy and acerbic. It’s a worthwhile resource to peruse …
Follow the story at Artificial Intelligence and Education.
Questions? Please let me know (engelk@grinnell.edu).
