When sharing that I\u2019m the Libraries\u2019 AI Faculty Fellow, the most common response is a polite nod followed by a puzzled, \u201cSo, what do you actually do?\u201d
\nTo start, there\u2019s the deep dive into the world of AI. For libraries, this means going beyond ChatGPT, exploring research applications and research-specific AIs. It\u2019s learning how models are trained, wrestling with questions about copyright and privacy, and attending presentations that range from webinars to an AI Summit hosted by the University of Florida. Essentially, it\u2019s being a perpetual student of AI and then trying to translate that knowledge into actionable insights for the campus community.<\/p>\n
Collaboration with other Faculty Fellows, committees, working groups and task forces is another big part of the role. As I learn about the variety of projects across campus, for example, the College of Education\u2019s open-access AI instruction cookbook and Physical Therapy\u2019s AI model that simulates patients for students to practice with, I help connect researchers who would benefit from the developing applications and use cases. I\u2019ve participated in the development of department and campus AI policies by leading and consulting during policy workshops, and am involved in testing different GenAI models as part of the Show-Me AI pilot, trying to determine what might be the best applications for Mizzou to invest in and share. <\/p>\n
Back in the library world, I chair a team testing research AI tools \u2014 like Keenious<\/a>, Scite and Elicit<\/a> \u2014 that might enhance the discoverability of library resources. But it\u2019s not just about tools – we are getting more questions about AI on chat and through email all the time. I get to tackle the tough questions we receive, relating to AI hallucinations and whether library-subscribed journal articles can legally be used to train large language models for data extraction. With the disclaimer that, of course, I\u2019m not a lawyer and can\u2019t give legal advice, it means staying up to date on court decisions, lawsuits, and emerging legal frameworks (Updated Map of US Copyright Suits v. AI).<\/p>\n Of course, all this learning means nothing if it isn\u2019t shared. In addition to traditional classroom instruction and library workshops, I’ve presented at the Directors of Graduate Studies Summit, as a panelist for a MOBIUS E-Resources webinar on AI, at a campus-wide donor event representing the work MU does with AI, at retreats for updating curriculum, at departmental trainings for graduate students, at the Missouri Library Association Annual Conference and more. It’s been exactly one year since I became the Libraries\u2019 AI Faculty Fellow. While there\u2019s been a lot to learn, somewhere between the webinars, policy discussions and presentations, I get to have great conversations about how libraries can lead \u2014 thoughtfully, ethically and creatively \u2014 in an AI-driven world.<\/p>\n
\nSharing AI literacy information includes the creation (and continual updating) of our Libraries AI LibGuide<\/a>, and collaboration with librarians from across the state to build an online AI resource guide. Outreach also includes training the Libraries’ student Peer Navigator team on AI so they can pass that knowledge along to their peers.<\/p>\n