Block 2

Begin With the Basics!

In this block, we start with the basics of AI so you can understand how these systems work and make informed decisions about using them.

As we begin our journey through the LIBRA.I. experience, we start with the basics. This chapter will provide you with a foundational understanding of how AI processes data and explain how librarians can ethically navigate these systems, manage risks, all while remaining trusted guardians of knowledge.
 

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?

If you are a library professional, chances are that you already work at the intersection of information, technology, and people. AI is increasingly becoming part of this landscape. At its core, AI refers to computational systems that can process large amounts of information, recognise patterns and generate outputs ranging from answering questions and summarising documents to organising and describing content. Unlike traditional search tools that retrieve what exists, AI systems can interpret, synthesise, and produce, making them both powerful and worth evaluating carefully. For library professionals, what matters most is not how AI works „under the hood“, but what it does with information, who it serves, and where it falls short. The same critical lens you apply to sources, metadata, privacy, and access applies here as well.
 

AI IN PRACTICE: WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN AND WHAT IS COMING

You have probably already encountered AI in more places than you realise. For example, the chatbot on a library website, the recommendation engine suggesting „similar titles“, and the translation tool a patron uses to navigate your catalogue. These are all AI at work. Beyond libraries, AI drives medical diagnostics, content moderation, hiring decisions, and urban planning. Understanding the range of these applications helps you recognise AI not as a futuristic concept, but as an active force in the information environments you and your users navigate daily.
 

NECESSARY PRECONDITIONS FOR BUILDING AI SYSTEMS

AI systems do not emerge from thin air. They require a clearly defined problem, large amounts of quality data, technical infrastructure, and, crucially, human expertise and oversight. They also require governance: someone must define accountability, document decisions, and ensure the system remains ethical and legal over time. As a librarian evaluating or adopting an AI tool, these are exactly the questions you should be asking of any vendor or institution offering one.
 

WHY AI LITERACY IS IMPORTANT

AI literacy means being able to understand what an AI system does, what it cannot do, and what it might get wrong. For librarians, this is not optional. You are already in the business of helping people evaluate information critically. AI outputs — whether a chatbot response, a translated document, or a generated summary — are information too, and they carry the same risks of bias, error, and manipulation as any other source. Supporting your users‘ AI literacy is a natural extension of the information literacy work you already do.
 

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AI

• Bias and discrimination, resulting from skewed data or flawed assumptions.
• Lack of transparency and explainability, making it difficult to understand or contest AI-driven decisions.
• Privacy and data protection violations, particularly when handling sensitive or personal data.
• Overreliance on automated systems, leading to reduced human judgment and accountability.
• Security and misuse risks, such as manipulation, surveillance, or malicious applications.
• Social and environmental impacts, including labour displacement, inequality, and high energy consumption.

More information on the information-related risks you will find in BLOCK #9.
 

HOW AI IS IMPACTING THE CULTURAL SECTOR

AI is increasingly shaping the cultural sector, with libraries serving as a key site of both opportunity and responsibility. Traditionally, libraries have functioned as trusted public institutions that ensure access to knowledge, preserve cultural heritage, and support education and research. AI technologies are now influencing how these missions are carried out. Libraries also face governance and trust considerations. As institutions grounded in public service and accountability, libraries must ensure transparency in how AI tools are selected and used, protect user privacy, and maintain human oversight in decision-making processes. Librarians’ roles are evolving from solely managing collections to critically mediating AI systems, supporting users’ AI literacy, and advocating for ethical technology use in the cultural sector.

Overall, AI is transforming libraries from both technological and societal dimensions. Its impact depends not only on the tools adopted but on the values, policies, and professional practices guiding their implementation. When aligned with core library principles – including access, equity, diversity, and public trust – AI can support the cultural sector while reinforcing the role of libraries as stewards of knowledge in the digital age.