Professional Development Event: AI Policy and Future Skills, by Rebecca Dorset

  Rebecca Dorset currently serves as the Chair of the CILIP GIG Committee.

At the end of February I had the pleasure of attending a CILIP forum event which aimed to bring together learning partners and employers to explore AI policy and how AI will impact the skills needed for the future of the library, knowledge and information profession.

Firstly, let’s just take a moment to appreciate the glory that is Worcester public library, aka The Hive! I did not realise until I arrived that this was the first of its kind in the UK in that it offers services to both the public and also to the university in the same building, leading to more resources being available to both parties as well as everyone getting a very beautiful and well-designed building. Would definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area - they also have a great coffee shop! Library selling over, it is on to the main event.

The Hive, Worcester

The Hive, Worcester

The day started off with a panel discussion on AI policy and how it is impacting different areas of the sector. With all the trending hype around Generative AI it has thrown up a lot of different issues and considerations for the academic sector in particular. It was fascinating to hear the different elements universities around the country are having to consider in their policies but also how many are taking a positive approach to new capabilities. We also got to hear about AI policy making in local government by hearing from Worcestershire Council on the use of AI and how it has driven positive change for people alongside all the ethical and transparency considerations that need to be considered.

The message overall was that new AI capabilities are here to stay for all of us and factoring this into ways of working instead of blanket bans and strict governance support more transparency about its use and can help demystify AI as a toolset. Some trial runs in universities have included students declaring its use for assignments and there were great use cases of AI tools being used to help break down questions about writing structure, particularly for foreign students. Not sure universities are going to convince art departments about Gen AI just yet though!

It, also, opened up the wider considerations about learning, using different AI tools can have an impact on the actual absorption of learning. I really enjoy exploring AI in different contexts, it always comes back to the human elements! From all parties it was clear that the library and information sector are, as ever, tackling new technologies head on and are now supporting users across the country with AI literacy skills.

A workshop followed on how to write AI policy and this was again interesting, being able to hear the different issues and opportunities the academic and public sector have across the board. After lunch the afternoon session moved into discussing skills and those needed for the future of the library, knowledge and information professions. There were no surprises with some that came up such as the need to harness more data analytics skills, but the overwhelming conclusion was how core these professions are in the world of AI. When exploring the bones of AI skills frameworks and concepts for “AI Literacy” in the wider world of digital literacy, so many of those skills are rooted in these professions, there are already deep experts in this profession and also the skills to teach others. There is also a concern about creating a wider digital divide, both in the public space and in other areas such as academia unless AI skills are really supported right from the start and it is so encouraging to see the work already going on to make sure that people across the UK are equipped for the futures.

 In wider AI discussions the agreement for the use of critical thinking skills is apparent as AI becomes more prevalent and more available and this is an area the library and information sector have been embedded in since the dawn of time. The importance of knowledge management and wider knowledge skills becomes a key factor in generative AI being used accurately and with and already acknowledged bias in datasets being shown the human element of digital tools becomes imperative.

Overall, this was a fascinating day exploring the possibilities and impacts of new technology across the UK and as ever marvelling at just how forward thinking and progressive the library, knowledge and information profession really is. AI and the new possibilities coming through are a big step, in some areas of the sector it is just another tool to exploit, but the implications of this on the profession, particularly thinking about some of the challenges that information management has had in the past, is not to be underestimated. However, this is really the time that our collective profession can really make an impact.

 

CILIP write up of the day: AI and AI policy top the agenda at CILIP Employer Forum - CILIP: the library and information association