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In this issue: Information on some different AI applications, link to welcome documents, and webinar highlights

Welcome docs

A reminder that you can access the welcome document regarding SLAAIT workgroup here.

In addition, welcome Oklahoma to the work group since our last issue!

AI of interest

More and more generative AI applications are emerging, and it can be difficult to navigate all the options available to consumers. Here’s a brief description of some of them.

• Claude: On its website, Claude is touted as being “safe, accurate, and secure,” and can be used to “process large amounts of information,” “brainstorm ideas,” and “coach you through difficult situations.” It’s an AI assistant built for work, and offers team collaboration.
• Perplexity: Perplexity AI is based on ChatGPT’s model, and its site describes it as “a conversational search engine that answers queries using natural language predictive text.” Instead of providing search engine users with a list of links, Perplexity provides “synthesized information” and is “designed to be intuitive and user-friendly.”
• Gemini: This is Google AI’s platform, and gives you access to their large language models. Its site acknowledges that, “Gemini will make mistakes and might even say something offensive,”
• CoPilot: CoPilot is Microsoft’s AI, and its website says it “consolidates reliable sources across the web to give you a single, summarized answer.” It also offers a personalization option to tailor responses from chats to you.
• xAI Grok-2: This application offers both image and language generation, and is available on x, f.k.a. Twitter. Forbes reported on some special features of Grok.

NaNoWriMo okay with AI

NaNoWriMo, a non-profit organization that “believes in the transformational power of creativity” and provides structure for would-be novelists, has issued a statement on the use of AI. Every November, participants in NaNoWriMo (a.k.a., National Novel Writing Month) write a 50,000 page novel. This year, NaNoWriMo issued a statement on the use of artificial intelligence, and they’re okay with it. This statement has drawn criticism, as AI certainly changes the dynamics of participation in this creative challenge. In an effort to remain open to various approaches to writing, the acceptance of AI has provoked the ire of authors who disagree with the organization. Read The Verge’s reporting on it here.

Time Magazine 100 in AI

Time Magazine named its top 100 movers and shakers in AI, broken down into the categories of leaders, innovators, shapers, and thinkers. View the list here.

The Spatial Web webinar

First, listen to Delaware’s Alta Porterfield and New Jersey’s Jen Nelson discuss a recent impactful meeting about public AI. Following that, Denise Holt presents on the spatial web, where she talks about changes we have already seen and what is upcoming in the future regarding our use of AI and information.

Session 107: “The Spatial Web: A New Dimension of the Internet & A Technological Awakening for AI”

AI prompt ideas

For librarians: Choose an upcoming anniversary that is of significance to your library. Utilizing the AI application of your choice, create an event or series of events that will help celebrate your library’s historical milestone. For example, if your library’s founding is approaching its 100th year anniversary, ask an AI program to suggest ideas that require community involvement to celebrate 100 years of public library access. Then refine your request and make it specific to your state/city/county.

For library patrons: Using the AI app of your choice, create a checklist of fall-centric activities to do in your area.

In addition to this, I located this prompt library for educators, which features various suggestions to input into AI. Examples include making agendas for faculty meetings, designing writing assignments, and creating a taxonomy.

Optional prompt: Use AI to write a 50,000 word novel in less than 10 minutes. 😉