AI and Libraries - A Brief Discussion

Lund, B.D. and Wang, T. (2023), "Chatting about ChatGPT: how may AI and GPT impact 

academia and libraries?", Library Hi Tech News, Vol. 40 No. 3, pp. 26-29. 

https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-01-2023-0009

Summary:

ChatGPT has considerable and worrying advantages for those in the library profession to be able to use in the coming years. It is important to note the ways in which to use ChatGPT and other AI technologies responsibly and understand the ethical implications that may occur when abusing the new and updating technology. Utilizing GPT as well as other AI programs can save on a librarian's time throughout the day, but it should never be the deciding factor on any decisions for a library. It is a great research tool and can be used to improve academic libraries, but there are drawbacks like any tool that librarians should be aware of.

Review:

I found the article rather insightful. I don't usually utilize AI tools in my day to day just because of the risk that they pose on potentially being wrong. I do think the article was insightful on both the dangers and the positives for AI usage, specifically that of ChatGPT which tends to be the most common AI tool so far. There is always going to be bias, whether it be human or AI standards, but again that is when we don't just focus on one person or tool to be the deciding factor when it comes to decision making for a whole library population.

-Smothers, Kelsey

An early or somewhat late ChatGPT guide for librarians

 Posted by: Joe Mullins

APA Citation:

Hall, B., & McKee, J. (2024). An early or somewhat late ChatGPT guide for librarians. Journal of Business & Finance Librarianship, 29(1), 58–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/08963568.2024.2303944 

Summary:

    This article presents an up-to-date guide (this summary was written in December of 2024) of ChatGPT in respect to librarians and their work. Acknowledging the current immense usership of ChatGPT by society, Hall and McKee recognize the need for better education, workshop, and general discussion on the stalwart AI tool, particularly for information professionals. However, in this article not only do the authors advocate for research on AI and education of information professionals on ChatGPT but also highlight the importance of caution in using these tools due to limitations. Ultimately, they assert that libraries and librarians alike must stay current and share information with peers on the usages of AI as well as alert their colleagues and patrons to the softwares pitfalls and how to overcome challenges when using the tool.

Evaluation

    This article does a great job in exploring the current design of ChatGPT and advocating and calling on information professionals to become educated in the AI platform to better understand the applications uses and pitfalls. After providing a cursory overview of the popularity and usership of ChatGPT, the article then provides a great literature review of trending and noteworthy articles, workshops, and videos created by university libraries on the software – please see below the evaluation for an attached version of this reading & watching list. Following this literature review, the article then begins to provide a well written piece surveying and demonstrating the uses of ChatGPT as well as acknowledging the pitfalls of the software. They first describe some of the uses of the AI software in detail, which includes assistance in developing curricula, summarizing content, investigating websites, creating rubrics, topic ideation and brainstorming, analyzing and visualizing basic data, crafting social media posts, reviewing content, and writing code. Equally they also present the pitfalls of ChatGPT, highlighting its inability to adequately fact-check, cite sources, analyze and visualize complex data, evaluate or analyze current events, and incorporate or analyze private information. After providing this well thought review of functions and inabilities of ChatGPT, the authors then reassert their argument that it is imperative that information professionals and libraries must stay current and share information with their peers on the usages of ChatGPT – although this could be applied to all comparable AI softwares – and to educate their peers and library users on accurate information about ChatGPT, and especially its pitfalls. Overall, it is a well written and researched article that information professionals should read to ensure education on AI, and ChatGPT especially, is in their tool belt. In the current digital age washed with misinformation, an article highlighting the correct uses and detriments of AI is a valuable tool to have stored in one’s arsenal.

Attachment of Articles Reading and Watching List:

ALA Connect (American Library Association [ALA], 2023) for “ChatGPT” returns 60 “Discussion Threads”

“ChatGPT and Other AI Tools: A Guide for Faculty,” including pages for “ChatGPT/AI Use Cases & Strategies in Higher Education” 

“Readings, Podcasts, and Other Information about ChatGPT and AI” (Wayne State University Libraries, 2023).

In April 2023, the University of Washington community hosted a panel discussion, “Demystifying ChatGPT for Academics” (UW Video, 2023). 

Texas State University (Vaverek, 2023)

Stony Brook University (Kennedy, 2023)

Brown University (Morton-Aiken, n.d.)

DePauw University (Gilson, 2023)

Northern Illinois University (ChatGPT and Education | Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, n.d.)

University of Minnesota (Matts-Benson, 2023)

New York University (Dai, 2023)

University of Georgia (Chaturvedi, 2023)

ChatGPT and the rise of chatbots in academic libraries

Haggard, Millicent 

Reference

Adetayo, A. J. (2023). Artificial Intelligence Chatbots in academic libraries: The rise of ChatGPT. Library Hi Tech News, 40(3), 18-21.

Summary

        Adetayo reviews ChatGPT and other chatbots, and how they are being used in academic libraries. Adetayo reviews how they can be used to simulate human conversations for users, deliver rapid answers to a variety of questions, and overall, just improve the quality of library services. The chatbots can also assist users with accessing materials or placing holds, without having to wait for a librarian for these services. The chatbots handle simple inquiries and tasks to help free up more space for the librarians to work on other projects. The article also touches on how chatbots can assist with language translation when it is needed, which makes the library more accessible for a larger group of people. The article also mentions some potential issues with the chatbots as well, such as inaccurate query responses and limited comprehension. One of the biggest potential issues discussed is the risk of librarians losing their jobs due to the intelligence of AI and chatbots. 

Evaluation

        I chose to review this article because it was the one that stood out to me the most this semester out of all my readings and became the topic of my "design your own" presentation. I never really tapped into chatbots or researched them before this class, so it was interesting to read about everything that they can do and learning about companies other than ChatGPT that are providing these services. Along with learning about all that they can do, I also learned so much about the implications involved. It was interesting to learn that while most academic libraries are studying chatbots and AI, only a small percentage of them are implementing the services in the libraries. Due to many technological issues and privacy concerns, so many users fear implementing AI into their libraries or businesses. Job loss seems to be the main concern of many, but I don't agree with this. I think that these AI tools could supplement and help workers do their jobs more efficiently and are not meant to take their place. I think with proper training and regular adjustments, chatbots can be very beneficial to libraries and other businesses.