In exploring the concept of hyperlinked environments, the user research from Pew section caught my attention. There is something so enticing about concrete statistics and the clear, bolded statements that accompany a Pew Research study. Whenever I see statistics in a study, article, or news clip, I am reminded of taking the required statistics class for my psychology degree \u2013 the bane of nearly every psychology major\u2019s existence. I cannot, for the life of me, remember how to calculate p-values, but I do remember the professor challenging us to be mindful of how statistical information is presented. What was the sample size like? What are the demographics or characteristics of the participants? The context greatly influences the actual meaning of the results. Unlike headlines written to be punchy and attract views, the results of scientific inquiry can often be less black and white. Whenever I see information presented in this way, I try to think critically about what story is being told, and who benefits from that version of the story.<\/p>\n
These research studies can help library staff, especially, to stay aware of general trends and patterns regarding information-related attitudes and behaviors. With AI coming to the forefront of people\u2019s consciousness, \u201cThe Public Awareness of Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Activities\u201d report (Pew Research, 2023) caught my attention. This study, a few years old, helps to illustrate that today\u2019s AI technologies did not pop out of the ether to destroy the world, but did, in fact, evolve from AI technologies that already existed in the day-to-day life of many people.<\/p>\n
I am in the same boat at 38% percent of Americans that could only correctly identify 3-5 of the 6 uses of AI in the study. For me- it was the \u201ce-mail categorizing things as spam\u201d that caught me off-guard. Perhaps this is a feature of e-mail (a technology I have used and had access to since I was a child) that I simply took for granted.<\/p>\n
The section on concern\/excitement about AI technologies hits close to home, as I have been forced to reckon with my own opinions and experiences with this technology in both an academic and professional context. Even understanding that generative <\/em>AI has evolved from technologies that I happily engage with every day\u2026 for the first time I am experiencing the concern and fear that comes with rapid technological changes. I am also with the 39% of medium-awareness of AI folks that are more concerned than excited about these changes.<\/p>\n The content of this class and especially the lectures given by @michael<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0help me to challenge my perspective. It certainly is not comfortable, but at the same time, I appreciate how that helps me grow as an information professional. AI tools are a part of the current hyperlinked environment that library professionals operate in. Though I have my concerns, I do agree that playing with these tools will help me better assist patrons moving forward. To that end, see below for my first ever conversation with Google\u2019s Gemini:<\/p>\n Early Milestones in Artificial Intelligence: AKA Staci’s Attempt to Get Gemini To Make A Timeline of Historical Events<\/a><\/p>\n Pew Research Center. (2023, February 15). Public awareness of artificial intelligence in everyday activities. <\/em>https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/science\/2023\/02\/15\/public-awareness-of-artificial-intelligence-in-everyday-activities<\/a><\/p>\n @staciwright<\/a>\">@staciwright<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In exploring the concept of hyperlinked environments, the user research from Pew section caught my attention. There is something so enticing about concrete statistics and the clear, bolded statements that accompany a Pew Research study. Whenever I see statistics in a study, article, or news clip, I am reminded of taking the required statistics class … Continue reading Reflection Blogging: Hyperlinked Environments<\/span>