Call for Papers and Presentations

AI in Focus: Artificial Intelligence and Libraries

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.

Conference Topics

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

Proposal submissions

• 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.)

Proposals are due by 30th November 2022.

All proposals should be submitted by email to both the following contacts:

Dr Edmund Balnaves
Chair, Information Technology Section
ebalnaves@prosentient.com.au

Patrick Cher
Project Manager
National Library Board
patrick_CHER@nlb.gov.sg

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 15th February 2023.

Important dates

Important notes

• 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.