LibsWork Meeting March 12, 2024: Generating the Future: ChatGPT

Generative AI technologies like ChatGPT began making huge waves in just the last year, and some intrepid libraries, recognizing their role as the perfect place to help their community members become familiar with this new, soon-to-be everywhere, life-enhancing tool, have jumped into the deep end with both feet first. Libraries are providing AI technology showcases, offering introductory classes, hosting discussion groups, and incorporating it into their programming. Staff are using it to make their jobs easier, using it to speed up communications and social media and exploring its use in reference and reader’s advisory. But where it may provide the most value and make the most direct impact on people’s daily lives, showing them why they should embrace it in the first place, is how it can enhance the library’s efforts in workforce development training. Examples include helping patrons write cover letters, build resumes, and improve the operations of their small businesses. In this webinar, come hear about the latest efforts in this growing area and participate in a discussion of what can happen next – because the future is being generated right now. We’ll also talk about how libraries can use the technology for themselves to write grants, which has the potential to significantly level the playing field and ensure those that historically miss out on funding due to lack of capacity get the support they need.
Speakers:
Henry Stokes, Digital Opportunity Program Coordinator for Libraries, Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Maria Freed, Workforce Development Consultant, Texas State Library and Archives Commission