Librarians Offer Workshops on Avoiding AI Features
Libraries globally are hosting "Avoiding AI" workshops, teaching patrons how to disable and opt-out of artificial intelligence features on common devices and services. The trend is driven by growing user frustration with AI's perceived invasiveness.
Librarians worldwide are stepping in to help consumers navigate and control the increasing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily lives. New workshops, often titled "Avoiding AI," are being offered to provide practical guidance for individuals who feel overwhelmed by AI features integrated into their phones, email, and search engines.
The initiative gained momentum from an article by Hannah Cyrus, a librarian at Bangor Public Library in Maine. Cyrus outlined strategies for other librarians to assist patrons in understanding and opting out of AI. She observed a significant demand for clear instructions on disabling AI, leading to her first workshop attracting more attendees than could be accommodated, necessitating a waitlist.
Following Cyrus's article, dozens of librarians globally have reached out for assistance in developing similar programs. Charlie Bailey at the South Philadelphia Library is one such librarian. His library's announcement for an "Avoiding AI" workshop on Instagram received over 2,000 likes, far surpassing typical engagement. Bailey views these sessions as crucial for digital literacy and empowering individuals to maintain control over technology.
Attendees at these workshops frequently express frustration with AI's pervasiveness and the difficulty of avoiding it. Discussions often touch upon environmental concerns related to AI, such as the impact of data centers near residential areas. Gallup polls indicate that 70% of Americans are concerned about the environmental impact of AI data centers. Cyrus suggests that the forced nature of many AI features may be contributing to growing fatigue and a desire for greater user autonomy.