As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms our world, libraries are stepping up as essential allies in fostering AI literacy. Libraries have long been leaders in teaching information literacy, and now, they’re expanding this foundation to include AI literacy, helping students and other users understand, evaluate, and responsibly use AI tools in academic and everyday settings. This post explores the intersection of information and AI literacy, why it's important, and how libraries are already integrating these concepts into their services.

Defining AI Literacy Through the Lens of Information Literacy

AI literacy is about understanding and using AI tools critically, ethically, and effectively. Much like information literacy, AI literacy involves skills in evaluating information, synthesizing data, and engaging ethically. By building on information literacy, libraries can help students and other users develop AI literacy, equipping them to interact responsibly with AI tools.

Libraries have established frameworks for teaching information literacy. Traditionally, this involved defining a question, strategically searching for information, evaluating sources for credibility, and synthesizing the findings to answer the question—all while following ethical guidelines. These steps translate remarkably well into AI literacy:

• Defining the Problem: Just as information literacy begins by articulating a question, AI literacy requires formulating good prompts for AI tools. An AI-literate user needs to determine if an AI tool is suitable for their task and, if so, to articulate the question clearly to get the best results.
• Strategic Searching: In information literacy, searching strategically involves selecting appropriate databases and using effective search terms. Similarly, AI literacy requires understanding which AI tool is best for a specific need and using targeted prompts that are based on a clear understanding of the problem that needs to be solved.
• Critical Evaluation: Critical thinking is central to both information and AI literacy. Students learn to ask who created the information, why, and in what context. Similarly, understanding AI-generated content demands questioning the source of any information, detecting bias, and fact-checking.
• Synthesis of Findings: Synthesis in information literacy is an iterative and reflective process, combining insights from multiple credible sources to form cohesive and well-supported conclusions. In AI literacy, this involves critically evaluating AI-generated outputs, refining prompts to improve responses, and integrating AI findings with other reliable sources. By treating AI outputs as part of a broader investigative process, users can build nuanced, evidence-based answers that reflect ethical and critical engagement.

Challenges and Ethics in AI Literacy

One significant challenge in both information and AI literacy is synthesizing information responsibly. With AI tools like ChatGPT offering rapid responses, it's tempting to rely heavily on generated text. However, an AI-literate user must recognize the limitations and biases inherent in AI-generated content and properly cite these sources. Misuse of AI tools can lead to misinformation or plagiarism, making it essential for libraries to teach users about the ethical and practical limitations of AI.

Teaching AI Literacy

To effectively teach AI literacy, instructors should have hands-on experience with AI tools. By using these tools themselves, they can better design and utilize assignments that will help students practice interacting with AI in a safe and effective way. Here are some examples of assignments that can foster AI literacy:

• Opportunities and Threats Assessment: Ask students to use an AI tool like ChatGPT to draft an essay and then reflect on the advantages (e.g., ease of editing) and drawbacks (e.g., potential for misinformation) of using the tool.
• Prompt Reflection: Have students save transcripts of their interactions with an AI tool. Students can then analyze these interactions to assess how it affected their way of thinking about the problem and how effectively they communicated their questions or instructions.
• Comparing Search Results: Students can compare AI-suggested research with traditional library database searches, evaluating the quality and reliability of the results.
• Fact-Checking Exercises: Instruct students to verify information and citations provided by an AI tool, helping them practice distinguishing credible information from misinformation and biased claims.

Libraries as Pioneers of AI in Practice

Libraries have a long history with AI. For years, libraries have used AI in tools like spam filters, recommendation algorithms, and search engines. Even RFID tags, which many libraries use to track materials, involve the use of AI-related technology. Academic libraries have integrated AI through tools like Dynamed and Micromedex, which use AI to provide reliable medical information quickly to support clinicians.

Some libraries, like Stanford University Libraries and the University of Rhode Island, have gone further by establishing dedicated AI labs or studios. These spaces allow users to explore AI applications and address social and ethical implications of these technologies. By introducing AI tools such as Adobe Firefly for image generation and Perplexity.ai for research assistance, libraries are actively helping students and researchers make the most of AI.

The Future of AI Literacy in Libraries

AI literacy is quickly becoming as essential as traditional information literacy. By teaching users how to interact responsibly and transparently with AI tools, librarians are working to help them navigate an increasingly AI-integrated world. Through hands-on experience, critical reflection, and ethical guidance, libraries ensure that users can not only use AI effectively but also recognize its limitations and potential biases.

As AI becomes embedded in more aspects of our lives, the role of libraries in fostering AI literacy will only grow. Libraries are uniquely positioned to guide the public in understanding and using AI responsibly, in the hopes of creating more informed, AI-literate communities.

More Resources

• Faculty Guide to AI Tools
• Student Guide to AI Tools
• Plagiarism and academic integrity LibGuide

Acknowledgments

This blog post utilized ChatGPT to reformat the transcript of our spoken presentation into a blog format, as well as to assist with editing.