Introduction to the Special Issue: Responsible AI in Libraries and Archives

Abstract

Librarians and archivists are often early adopters and experimenters with new technologies. Our field is also interested in critically engaging with technology, and we are well-positioned to be leaders in the slow and careful consideration of new technologies. Therefore, as librarians and archivists have begun using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance library services, we also aim to interrogate the ethical issues that arise while using AI to enhance collection description and discovery and streamline reference services and teaching. The IMLS-funded Responsible AI in Libraries and Archives project aims to create resources that will help practitioners make ethical decisions when implementing AI in their work. The case studies in this special issue are one such resource. Seven overarching ethical issues come to light in these case studies—privacy, consent, accuracy, labor considerations, the digital divide, bias, and transparency. This introduction reviews each issue and describes strategies suggested by case study authors to reduce harms and mitigate these issues.