Dear colleagues,
AI in focus: Artificial Intelligence and Libraries
2-3 March 2023, National Library Board, Singapore
The IFLA Information Technology (IT) Section in collaboration with the National Library Board, Singapore is delighted to call for presentations and paper proposals for a satellite conference in Singapore on the topic of Artificial Intelligence, its responsible use and education in libraries and information services and the relationship with Big Data. This conference is a collaboration between the IFLA IT Section, the Big Data Special Interest Group and the Artificial Intelligence Special Interest Group.
Proposals are due by 30 November 2022
Following on from our successful satellite conference in Galway, the IFLA Information Technology Section is planning sessions and workshops to provide insight into the role of libraries in the responsible use of AI. We are witnessing the adoption of AI in all aspects of library operations, including public and reference services, automated classification, customer service through chatbots and discovery systems. Vendors are adding elements of AI in library products including discovery and research platforms. IFLA has recognised the importance of AI and the formation of an AI SIG. The role and impact of AI present both opportunities and challenges. IT plays a significant role in the development and use of AI technologies, but its uses can have considerable impact and possible unintended consequences on library staff, operations and services.
This in-person and online (streamed) conference will provide an opportunity to explore AI, including its practical implementation and opportunities on the horizon as well as the ethical, transparency, and unconscious bias considerations for responsible use. We are keen to see proposals that explore the important connections between the AI technologies and the operations and/or service side of all types of Libraries.
We invite papers, presentations, demonstrations, workshops and posters. Topics include but not limited to:
- AI and Big Data in libraries
- Library participation in AI projects
- Ethical considerations around AI, including algorithmic bias, privacy and transparency.
- AI technologies including natural language processing, machine and deep learning platforms, text mining, speech/facial recognition, multi format content recognition and processing, virtual agents, and decision management.
- Use of AI in open search and discovery systems and the impact on reference work and chat/question answer services.
- Innovation in service delivery and library operations including user interface design and user experience
- Library use of chatbots and involvement in chatbot development
- Use and impact of AI-optimized hardware and “smart" devices like Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple Siri.
- Search algorithms, and algorithmic literacy.
- Library roles in promoting data and algorithmic literacy among users and citizens.
- Developing skills and capacity for AI work and examinations of roles of library workers and data scientists in this work.
Submissions must include:
- Name, title, institution, country, and email of speaker(s)
- Brief biographical statement about each speaker (max 100 words)
- Title of proposed presentation
- Abstract of presentation (max 300 words)
- Language of presentation
- Format (presentation, panel, workshop, demonstration, poster, etc.)
All proposals should be submitted by email to both the following contacts:
Dr Edmund Balnaves
Chair, Information Technology Section
Patrick Cher
Project Manager, National Library Board, Singapore
Please contact the above for any questions about the conference or presentation submissions.
All proposals and full papers will be required to be in English. The full papers where provided (max 2,500 words, double line spaced) are due on 15 February 2023.
Important dates:
30 November 2022: Deadline for submission
15 December 2022: Notification of selection
15 February 2023: Full papers (where relevant) submitted with author permission form
2-3 March 2023: Satellite conference
Please note:
- At least one of the authors must be present to deliver a summary of the paper or present their session during the program in Singapore.
- Authors of accepted full papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form.
- All papers that are presented at the Satellite Meeting will be made available online via the IFLA Library under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.
- All expenses, including registration for the conference, travel, accommodation etc., are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. No financial support can be provided by IFLA, but a special invitation letter can be issued to authors.
Best regards,
IFLA Regional Office for Asia and Oceania (on behalf of IFLA IT Section)
