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To register for this session, click this link: The Digital Shelf Publishing & Library Forum: Ethical AI in Libraries
Ethical AI in Libraries: A Critical Look at the Promise and Potential
We are at a critical juncture where generative artificial intelligence presents both immense promise and complex ethical challenges for libraries. While AI is touted as a technological revolution, its significant harms—including environmental costs, bias, plagiarism, and economic instability—cannot be ignored. This panel will convene library technology experts and industry leaders to take a critical look at the "potential" of AI and assess what it truly means for our profession. We'll discuss the many ethical issues, share practical strategies for library workers who question its use, and offer resources to ensure libraries continue to prioritize human knowledge, inquiry, and ethical considerations.
Partners & Co-Hosts
Michael Blackwell, ReadersFirst
Michael Blackwell is the Director of the St. Mary's County Library and leads ReadersFirst. As a prominent national advocate for e-resources, he is instrumental in coordinating efforts across nearly 300 libraries to campaign for fair pricing, sustainable licensing, and an easier patron experience for library e-book content.
Jeremy Johannesen, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA)
Jeremy Johannesen is the Executive Director of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), an organization dedicated to supporting state library administrative agencies. He is a recognized advocate for nationwide library policy, leading COSLA's long-term efforts to influence publisher pricing and licensing models for e-books and digital content, ensuring equitable access and sustainable solutions for public libraries across the states.
Presenters
Micah May, Lyrasis
Micah May is the Director of Business Development for the Ebooks and Community Engagement (EBCE) division at Lyrasis, where he builds partnerships to support The Palace Project.
With over 15 years of experience, Micah is a leader in technology and library innovation. He previously served as Director of Ebooks at the Digital Public Library of America, where he spearheaded the Palace Marketplace and Palace Bookshelf. He also directed technology for Library for All, launching ebook apps in developing nations. As a Senior Director at the New York Public Library, he led strategy and innovation, conceiving and directing SimplyE, an open-source platform that simplifies ebook access. He also secured over $250 million in ebook donations from publishers to create Open Ebooks, an app-based library for children in low-income communities.
Micah holds a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School and a B.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He began his career as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, where he helped create a new research and development group.
Marshall Breeding
Marshall Breeding is an internationally recognized expert and independent consultant in library technology, best known as the creator and editor of Library Technology Guides (librarytechnology.org). He is the author of the annual "Library Systems Report" published in American Libraries, and he frequently presents on key topics, including the impact of AI and new technology enhancements on library systems, platforms, and services. He is solely responsible for all content on Library Technology Guides, making it an essential resource for professionals tracking developments and trends in library automation.
Michael Hanegan
Michael Hanegan is a leading voice on AI and the Future of Learning and Work. He is the Founder of Intersections, a learning and human formation company, and is dedicated to building a world that is good for the whole human family. Michael serves as an adjunct professor and is the co-author of the influential book Generative AI and Libraries: Claiming Our Place in the Center of a Shared Future, published by the American Library Association. His work guides organizations across education, industry, and the library ecosystem in adopting human-centered approaches to technological transformation.
Peter Musser
Peter Musser (he/him) is the Head of Library Services at the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME), the organization behind OER Commons, the world’s leading digital public library for Open Educational Resources. Drawing on his deep experience in librarianship and a background in the U.S. Navy, Peter leads strategic initiatives focused on leadership, infrastructure, and the future of educational technology. His work centers on promoting equitable access to knowledge, with a current focus on addressing the technical and ethical considerations of integrating large language models and AI into library and educational services.
Lyrasis Learning events are delivered using the Zoom videoconferencing platform and will have AI-generated captions available. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is available upon request. If you need ASL or other accommodations to support your participation in the course, please contact us at es@lyrasis.org at least 2 weeks in advance of the event or as soon as possible.