This module’s topic encompassed the concept of “new horizons” and @michael made me ponder how emerging technologies will impact library services. One of the articles shared for this week’s topic touched upon the relationship between young children and Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, and how the author’s toddler recognized “Alexa” as one of his earliest learned words (Kelly, 2018). This anecdote illustrates how new technology impacts our lives inevitably, regardless of our resistance.
We can’t fight new technologies, we need to adapt, and this notion translates to us within the LIS field. At my local library, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Santa Clarita Public Library to operate using curbside pickup which then transitioned into an external locker hold system (comparable to Amazon lockers that can be accessed at any given time) that ultimately persisted even after the libraries reopened during the post-pandemic years (Wesler, 2020).
A recent hot-button issue is the emergence of ChatGPT, particularly in how libraries will adapt to that rapidly developing technology. As a former journalism and public relations student during my undergraduate years, I adhere to the importance of media literacy. My sentiments are similar to the rise of artificial intelligence. Whether we like it or not, it’s unavoidable, and understanding AI is inherently part of having media literacy (Hsu, 2024). The Krupp Library at Bryant University tries to shift away from the polarizing AI debates, instead stressing the importance of libraries to understand genAI such as ChatGPT “through the lens of information literacy” (Krupp Library, 2023). The future is filled with the unknowable and can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. We can shift fear into excitement and curiosity. As information professionals, we have the power to equip folks with the tools to navigate emerging technologies.
References:
Hsu, J. (2024, September 2). How to avoid being fooled by AI-generated misinformation. New Scientist. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2445475-how-to-avoid-being-fooled-by-ai-generated-misinformation/
Kelly, S. M. (2018, October 16). Growing up with Alexa: A child’s relationship with Amazon’s voice assistant. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/16/tech/alexa-child-development/index.html
Krupp Library. (2023, January 27). ChatGPT: A library perspective. Retrieved October 20, 2024, from https://library.bryant.edu/chatgpt-library-perspective
Wesler, A. (2020, July 26). Santa Clarita Library launches new locker system for picking up items. Spectrum News 1. https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/inside-the-issues/2020/07/24/santa-clarita-library-launches-new-locker-system-for-picking-up-items
2 responses to “Reflection Blogging #3: Facing New Technological Changes in the Horizon”
@pfulumirani such a great thought about AI through the lens of information literacy. It also struck me as interesting to read about your previous academic experience. I wonder what journalism classes look like in 2024 with ChatGPT so prevalent fascinating to think about.
Hi @pfulumirani,
I totally agree with your sentiment that resisting new technology is a truly futile effort for libraries. Rather, their time and energy would be better spent on adapting their services to actually stay relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape. And one aspect to that equation that you mentioned is incorporating and making tools like AI accessible to the public to actually assist patrons in gaining media and information literacy, which is crucial to have in a digital world becoming more misinformed and harder to trust with each passing day.
Your local library adopting the curbside pickup model, like many businesses did during those trying times, beautifully demonstrates how that initial adaptation can eventually pave the way for newer, improved programs that might not have been possible without taking those first steps.