Back to all articles
•Society

Librarians Lead Efforts to Educate Public on Opting Out of AI Tools

View original source

Charlie Bailey and Hannah Cyrus, librarians in South Philadelphia and Maine, respectively, have initiated workshops aimed at helping people opt out of unwanted AI tools on their devices.

Key Points:

  • Workshops: Bailey's workshop, titled "Avoiding AI," occurred in a colorful library classroom originally meant for children, repurposed for adult education on how to disable specific AI functions like Apple Intelligence and Gemini.
  • Motivations: Bailey was inspired by the frustration people feel about AI being imposed on them and aimed to help people reclaim control over their technology usage.
  • Methods: Workshops provide step-by-step instructions on disabling AI functionalities, contributing to digital literacy and personal autonomy.
  • Community Impact: Initiated by Cyrus, the workshop saw overwhelming interest, necessitating registration caps and a Zoom livestream, drawing about 70 participants each session.
  • Public Sentiment: Attendees expressed relief in finding a community that shared their skepticism about AI, alongside discussions of AI’s implications on privacy, work, and environmental impact.
  • Balanced Views: While attendees voice concerns about AI, they recognize its potential, such as in medical advances, highlighting a desire for agency over AI adoption rather than complete rejection.
  • Overall Scope: The workshops are part of a broader effort to address feelings that large tech companies have undue influence over personal technology use.