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Librarians can work alongside generative artificial intelligence in ethical ways to support AI literacy.
Oleh Stefaniak/iStock/Getty Images Plus
As with many technological advancements, academic libraries have been spurred to respond to the evolution of generative artificial intelligence. A September 2024 report found 7 percent of academic libraries are implementing AI tools, but 32 percent of the librarians and library-adjacent professionals surveyed said no AI training was available at their universities.
A recent guide from the University of New Mexico offers a foundation for librarians to support student thriving in an AI-embedded world.
“Just as libraries once championed print, digital, and information literacy, we are now well-placed to become key players in advancing AI literacy as technology shapes the future,” wrote author Leo S. Lo, dean and professor at the College of University Libraries and Learning Services.
AI Literacy in the Spotlight
The State University of New York system expanded its information literacy general education requirement to include ethical AI use. Read more about the initiative here.
Defining AI literacy: AI literacy, according to Lo, is the “ability to understand, use, and think critically about AI technologies and their impact on society, ethics and everyday life.”
This literacy is critical both for professional development of library staff to integrate tools into library services as well as community engagement, empowering librarians to guide and educate others on how to interact with AI systems.
Components of AI literacy: Lo’s framework has five elements of what it means to be literate in AI, which hinge on three common themes: human-AI collaboration, lifelong learning and equity and access.
- Technical knowledge. Staff should build a basic understanding of the foundations of generative AI, including machine learning, algorithms and neural networks, to be able to have more meaningful discussions about the functionality of AI and its behaviors.
- Practical skills. In addition to knowing how the tools operate on a mechanical level, hands-on learning with generative AI can improve literacy skills, allowing users to experiment with available tools on the market or utilize AI alongside work such as research support or digital collections.
- Ethical awareness. AI systems are not free from the biases of human contexts, so engaging with the tools requires the user to examine the output to maintain fairness, inclusivity and transparency. “It involves considering the real-world impacts of technical decisions, such as potential biases, accountability gaps, and privacy concerns,” according to the report.
- Critical thinking. In addition to carefully considering the output of generative AI, librarians should use their existing information literacy skills to analyze sources, data and assumptions of the models. Keeping a mindful practice to not let AI shape perspectives and decisions helps maintain agency and autonomy of the user.
- Societal impact. Librarians should be aware of the ways AI is reshaping the world culturally, economically and environmentally, such as how biased algorithms can deepen inequalities, surveillance tech can erode privacy and AI at large can wide economic gaps.
“By embracing AI literacy,” Lo wrote, “libraries can lead efforts to demystify AI, offer targeted programs, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations to explore AI’s influence on research and learning.”
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