I had the opportunity to lead several successful training initiatives including an AI Ambassadors Program for Illinois Librarians and a faculty learning community on generative AI. I also founded and coordinated the planning for the Generative AI in Libraries (GAIL) Conference. These initiatives have prepared librarians (and faculty) to become more familiar with a variety of generative AI tools and aspects of AI literacy as well as being more comfortable with AI. Leading these training initiatives has prepared me to offer recommendations on resources and best practices for training librarians in AI so they can become leaders in their communities with AI. The AI Ambassadors Program focused on understanding and using AI to empower librarians to become AI leaders in their communities. The GAIL Conference inspired librarians to share AI knowledge and learn from what other librarians are doing with AI. Recordings from the past two GAIL Conferences are available on YouTube. Librarians can learn more about AI through peer networks including the Artificial Intelligence in Reference and User Services (AIRUS) Interest Group, AI Community Of Practice Discord Channel, and the ACRL AI Interest Group to stay informed about AI trends and sharing practical insights.

You can integrate AI into library services in several ways. The first is to incorporate project-based learning into training programs with hands-on experiences to improve AI literacy among librarians. The Association of College and Research Libraries developed AI Competencies for Academic Library Workers. While these competencies were created for academic librarians, they are relevant for all librarians. I also recommend creating an AI learning community in your library to encourage inter-departmental sharing of knowledge and building a culture of AI literacy. Librarians should lead and participate in guiding campus, library, and community AI initiatives. Librarians can also help create comprehensive AI policies that address privacy and ethics, which position librarians as ethical leaders and advocates for responsible AI use.

AI impacts traditional librarian roles, library services, and presents opportunities for librarians to innovate and support AI literacy. Librarians should offer AI training that supports patrons’ AI literacy as a new component in information literacy. This includes teaching patrons about potential biases, environmental effects, and other challenges related to using AI. Consider how AI impacts our library services and society as a whole.  Offering AI training not only prepares librarians but also equips them to serve as trusted guides for patrons and students, solidifying their role as community leaders in AI literacy.

It is time for librarians to offer effective AI training initiatives at their libraries to foster community engagement and collaboration. Librarians should develop AI policies that prepare librarians and patrons in using AI. Librarians need to be adaptive and proactive leaders in teaching patrons about AI literacy to thrive in the generative AI age. Librarians should participate in ongoing professional development to position themselves as essential leaders in navigating the complexities of generative AI. I encourage you to offer or lead an AI ambassadors program for other librarians in your area. As companies competitively race to perfect AI models and monetize user experiences, such as ChatGPT’s plans to add advertising content, librarians are uniquely positioned. We can communicate AI’s benefits and drawbacks in a balanced manner for our patrons. If librarians do not guide this conversation, who will take on this vital role?