At the beginning of 2023 I became very curious about generative AI. So I began learning everything I could and sharing what I’m learning in many different ways.
Here’s a summary of my activities for the year 2023. See the end of this post for my thoughts about it all.
1. Guides and other training I’ve created
ChatGPT FAQ – created Feb. 1, updated Sept. 14, 2023
Created for our Student Learning and Engagement department meeting at University of Arizona Libraries.
Two libguides about ChatGPT, one for students, one for instructors. Contributors include Michelle Halla, Nicole Pagowsky, Niamh Wallace.
— Student guide to ChatGPT
— AI Literacy in the Age of ChatGPT (for instructors)
An assignment for classroom use: Generate topics for your research paper with ChatGPT
A guide for instructors to use with students. Listed on our page of assignment ideas for instructors. Created with Leslie Sult.
UA Libraries Slack channel for discussing generative AI – created on August 7
#generative-ai-chat
A place for those who work at the UA Libraries to share info and discuss generative AI.
Four tutorials about ChatGPT
Linked from our list of tutorials on specific topics:
Created with design feedback from our instructional designer, Yvonne Mery.
- The technology behind ChatGPT
- How does ChatGPT aim to prevent harmful use?
- What is generative AI?
- Using ChatGPT effectively
Some comments from our user feedback forms:
• “This is a wonderful explanation of Chat GPT and I think it will allay not only my own fears but those of my fellow faculty members as well as students. Thank you!”
• “Great. I had never heard of the other AI tools before. I’m interested in learning more.”
• “Excellent introduction and explanation of ChatGPT and how it was created and works. Thank you!”
A checklist: Evaluating Generative AI Apps – created Oct. 11, updated Dec. 23
Questions to ask when you are thinking of purchasing a tool or app based on generative AI models.
2. Panels, working groups, discussion groups
Participated in a panel discussion for AMIGOS, June 6
Amigos Community Conversations: The Impact of ChatGPT on Library Services
(120 people attended) Answered questions about various aspects of ChatGPT and AI literacy.
Other panelists were:
- Jonathan McMichael, instructional designer at ASU
- Elissa Malespina, teacher-librarian, Union High School – Township of Union, NJ
- Lori Townsend, Learning Services Coordinator at University of New Mexico
- Christopher Cox, Dean of Libraries, Clemson Univ.
Participated in a campus summer working group on AI Training – May 31 through early Sept.
Other groups include: AI and data acumen, communicating about AI, Fall event planning, Spring event planning, access and equity, syllabus guidance, integrity in education, K-14 group, integrity in research, knowledge creation & ownership, industry.
Joined this discussion group on Facebook: Higher Ed discussions of AI writing
Interesting discussions and information sharing, mostly from higher ed instructors and faculty.
Gave an update on our AI-related activities for UA Libraries all-staff meeting – Sept. 13
Here’s a recording of my portion of the meeting.
CORE forum: Generative AI and Libraries – Oct. 10-11
Free discussion group for two days via email.
Led a discussion about generative AI with health science library faculty at Cornell Medical – Oct. 12
AI working group for Health Sciences curriculum at Univ. of Arizona – Oct. 17 through January 2024
A series of 4 or 5 meetings about creating an AI curriculum for medical students.
University of Arizona AI working groups Fall kickoff meeting – Oct. 23
A goal that was mentioned: Make UA an AI University. More working groups will begin in December 2023, continuing into the new year.
Gave a 20-minute talk to the UA Libraries Advancement Board – Nov. 3
Updated them about what we’re doing in the UA Libraries related to AI.
Participated in a new U Arizona campus working group: Benefits of AI for Education – Dec. 2
Meetings to continue in 2024.
3. Articles, interviews, and blog posts
A Tech Librarian Explains How to Build AI Literacy– April 26
I was interviewed by the ACRL Choice newsletter.
I was interviewed about generative AI by Joyce Valenza for her Rutgers Library School course, Search and the Information Landscape. – July 24
She pre-recorded our conversation to show in her Fall class.
Evaluating generative AI tools for purchase: a checklist– Oct. 13
Created this checklist, posted on my blog.
How I use generative AI in my work – Oct. 28
A summary of different ways I use these tools, posted on my blog.
On Nov. 14th, I submitted my answers to interview questions for an ALA roundtable article to appear in American Libraries in February. Other contributors to this article will be Nick Tanzi, Trevor Watkins, Karim Boughida, Elissa Malespina, and Emily Bender.
Interviewed by Dr. Sarah Bratt of the University of Arizona iSchool – Nov. 28
For a project about developing AI curriculum.
4. Training sessions I’ve offered
AI Literacy: Using ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence Tools in Instruction
Offered this webinar for:
- American Library Association – May 17 (213 attendees)
- UA Libraries staff – May 18 (42 attendees) – video and handouts
- NEFLIN (Northeast Florida Library Information Network) – May 25 (45 attendees)
Feedback from attendees:
• It’s one of the best, most useful webinars that I’ve attended!
• Thank you so much for this Nicole! This has been the best webinar I’ve attended on the subject so far!
• Thank you for your AMAZING ALA presentation last week on AI. I found it extremely informative and helpful.
AI Literacy webinar for AMICAL (a consortium of American international liberal arts institutions, working together on common goals for libraries, technology and pedagogy) – June 21
Same topic as the previous webinars, with updates and international focus. Attendees were from many countries, such as France, Morocco, Iraq, Nigeria, and Pakistan.
22 people attended, 90 signed up, so many people will watch the recording later because of time zone differences, see AMICAL member institutions.
Online presentation for University of Arizona writing instructors – Sept 12
Contact: Lydia Joyce Paar
Slides (PDF)
AI Literacy webinar for staff of the World Bank – October 4
75 researchers attended as part of an all-day retreat. Attendees were all in one room, watching the presentation on 6 large screens. It was nice for me to see and hear audience reactions as I spoke, unlike when attendees are muted on individual Zoom sessions.
Recording and The audience was enthusiastic: “Nicole, I don’t know if you can see me, it doesn’t matter…that was amazing! Great presentation. Elena, thank you for this connection. Beautiful.”
AI Literacy webinar for TBLC (Tampa Bay Library Consortium) – Nov. 2
51 attendees. Similar to the version for The Word Bank. Slides
Using generative AI tools for library research – Nov. 7
10 minute intro, 20 minutes hands-on, 20 min discussion, for our Student Learning and Engagement department at the University of Arizona Libraries.
Using generative AI tools for library research – (Dec. 4)
Same as above, but this one for Central European University Librarians.
— COMING IN 2024 —
ALA Crash Course – Generative AI tools for library educational programs – Jan. 30 through Feb. 20
Four 90 minute webinars: Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 20
5. Training sessions I’ve attended
Completed three courses on LinkedIn Learning:
Artificial Intelligence Foundations: Thinking Machines – by Doug Rose, Feb. 25
Nano Tips for Using ChatGPT for Business – by Rachel Woods, April 5
Get Ready for Generative AI – by Ashley Kennedy, June 26
Skimmed and reviewed 8 other courses on LinkedIn Learning in order to think about what AI foundational learning should consist of. See this collection: AI foundations
ChatGPT Bootcamp for Libraries – Library 2.0
A series of three webinars, July 21, 28, August 4
AI Empowerment for Library Staff: Ethical, Equitable, and Engaging Solutions – July 17 through Aug. 14
A 4-week course from the American Library Association.
AI Art Bootcamp – July 21, 28, Aug 4
Attended 3 webinars about generative AI for image use.
AIx Education – Sat/Sun, Aug. 5-6
Attended this online conference organized by students, with many faculty attending
Videos available.
Ethan Mollick’s talk at Stanford University – Oct. 23
Navigating the Jagged Technological Frontier: Field Experimental Evidence of the Effects of AI on Knowledge Worker Productivity and Quality
A talk about Mollick’s recent study.
ACTAL 2023 – AI Literacy Roundtable Discussion – Nov. 1
ACTAL is the Association of Creative Technologies in Academic Libraries
Practical AI Tools for Library Staff – Nov. 28
An ALA webinar by Laura Solomon.
AI in Research – Dec. 6
AI at Arizona Town Hall Series, link to recording (UA only)
Inclusive and Ethical AI for Academic Libraries – Dec. 7
A panel discussion with Karim Boughida of Stony Brook, Keith Webster of Carnegie Mellon, and Kim Nayyer of Cornell. Moderated by Alexia Hudson-Ward of the MIT Libraries.
What an interesting year!
2023 has been (and continues to be) one of the most interesting years for technology changes that impact libraries and education.
My overall thoughts are:
— This is still very early for most of these tools. A lot will change and improve in the near future.
— As always with technological change, fearful stories get most of the press, and misconceptions spread easily. It’s important to pause and think, and look more deeply into the issues when you see scary headlines.
— We shouldn’t let concerns about the ethical issues prevent us from getting hands-on experience with this. It’s important to understand the technologies so we can advocate for solutions to those problems.
— I’m hoping and advocating for a future with many diverse generative AI models, many of them open source, rather than consolidation in one or two big tech companies.
— We need to promote AI literacy for everyone. So stay curious and keep learning!
Staying current
If you’re overwhelmed about the pace of change, you’re not alone! To stay current, you can look to people who enjoy curating information for others — that’s what I do every day on social media and through my training courses, tutorials, and newsletter.
To stay current with the latest news about generative AI, follow me on any of these platforms. I post daily.