A new report shows how Ontario library professionals are using AI tools in their day-to-day work and their perspectives on these burgeoning technologies.
This past May, the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) surveyed its membership to better understand how AI tools are being used and where there are opportunities to develop AI-related professional development programming.
Respondents who most engage with AI indicated they did so independently and emphasized an entrepreneurial approach to their professional development. "However, there is a tension in the time and capacity available to workers across OCUL member libraries to be guided by this kind of approach," explained Kari Weaver, manager of the OCUL AI and Machine Learning Program. "That's where OCUL is hoping to provide curated events and resources to help streamline the time investment typically required for professional learning."
When asked about their areas of AI-related interest, survey participants offered a wide range of topics for potential learning, from practical use such as prompt development to broad issues of ethical consideration like environmental impact and AI use disclosure.
"Next for our AI and Machine Learning team is to not only build out professional development offerings aligned with survey findings, but also host follow-up focus groups to gain ongoing, deeper insight into members’ viewpoints on AI," added Weaver.
Download the full report (PDF) to learn more about key recommendations and survey findings.