SKEPTIC'S GUIDE TO AI

The Skeptic's Guide to AI: Exploring the Big Questions
A 2-hour In-depth Masterclass with Crystal Trice
+ 4 Follow-up Deeper-dive Sessions
Live and Recorded

Are you skeptical of all the AI hype? Do you find yourself questioning the promises of what AI can really do? Are you concerned that the excitement around AI might overshadow its limitations and risks? Do you want to ensure you understand AI's implications for both personal and professional decision-making?

This two-hour Masterclass invites library and education professionals to explore the most pressing ethical and philosophical questions about artificial intelligence, grounded in the critical thinking and thoughtful engagement that define our professions. For four weeks following the initial session, there will be weekly one-hour live conversation sessions for those who want to dive deeper or ask questions (optional, of course, and recorded for independent listening).

TOPICS:

• Why are we scared of AI? Exploring fears about AI’s impact on society and our professions.
• How intelligent is it? Breaking down what AI can and cannot do.
• Why isn’t it factual? Examining the limitations of AI in truth-telling and reliability.
• Is it cheating? Grappling with the ethical use of AI in intellectual and creative work.
• Should I treat AI like a person? Discussing the risks and ethics of anthropomorphizing AI.
• Will it take over the world? Exploring concerns about control, power, and existential risks.
• Who owns AI creativity? Discussing questions of originality, authorship, and creative ownership in AI-generated work.
• Is AI worth the effort? Evaluating the return on investment for libraries using AI, balancing time, costs, and benefits.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

Those who are interested in exploring the ethical and philosophical dimensions of AI in their work. Participants will also gain discussion questions and insights that they can take back to their organization, sparking inspiration for sharing knowledge and fostering broader conversations within their teams. The series provides a space to reflect, question, and engage deeply with AI’s implications for the profession. By the end of the series, participants will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of AI while staying true to organizational values.

SCHEDULE: 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24th, 2025, 12:00 - 2:00 PM US-EASTERN TIME
The primary masterclass can be (but does not have to be) attended as a 2-hour live event. The recording, with the slide deck and chat log, will be released immediately to registrants for unlimited post-event viewing and review at a pace that is best for you.

FOLLOWING FRIDAYS: JANUARY 31st, FEBRUARY 7th, 14th, & 21st, 2025, 12:00 - 1:00 PM US-EASTERN TIME
You are welcome to join and participate in specific topic drill-downs as much or as little as you are able. These sessions will be recorded and available to registered participants.

PRAISE FOR CRYSTAL: "Great information about AI. The instructor was very informative and professional." • "Crystal did a great job of keeping everyone engaged!" • "Well done. Made AI more accessible to me and less scary – Enjoyable and time well spent. Thanks!" • "Very interactive and great material!" • "Crystal was knowledgeable and paced the information really well. I am eager to share this information about AI with my colleagues." • "Wonderful presenter. New information for me and it was presented in an easy to follow format. Crystal encouraged participation in an engaging manner." • "I have created a whole list of ideas that I want/need to try. I have been very apprehensive about using AI. Now I am excited to try some new things." • "Crystal was an amazing instructor with so many practical and easy to implement ideas and strategies!"

PRAISE FOR LIBRARY 2.0 AI EVENTS: "This was excellent! I'm at the very beginning of my knowledge of ChatGPT, and I came away with much good information, and more questions (as this tech is evolving), as well as thoughts about how we can put this to use, safely. At no point did I feel this was overly simplified, yet it was still accessible for my (lack of) knowledge level. I will attend more. Thank you!!" • "This has been a terrific set of sessions. The chat has been amazing as well." • "This was informative, especially since I am new to AI and LLMs. Thank you so much!" • "Thank you! This has been helpful and I appreciate the complementary practical ai tutorials series." • "Thank you. This was informative and gave me much to think about beyond going to ChatGPT and just dabbling with questions or prompts." • "Fantastic events!" • "Very Informative!" • “The feedback from the first session has been wonderful. Personally, I really knew zero about ChatGPT and now I am intrigued and a little scared (because it looks addictive).” • “Thank you, and thank you so much for this boot camp!!! ” • “Many thanks Steve – and special thanks for this series – so helpful in our work we do with schools.” • “I wanted to express my gratitude for the first course and I am excited for the upcoming one on Friday. It's been an excellent learning opportunity, and I'm looking forward to diving deeper into AI language models.” • “Thank you!! Such a good presentation.” • “Best session I've attended in a very long time!” • “Thank you! This was great!!” • “Very helpful! Thanks” • “Thank you,this was great!” • “Fantastic, thank you - can't wait for the next sessions :)” • “Fascinating! Thank you” • “Thanks for this, very informative and thought provoking” • “Thank you for a very informative session!” • “This was great. Thank you.” • “This was a thought-provoking session! Happy to hear a recording will be available. I need to refer back to it to review/reflect on these nuggets of info! Looking fwd to the next one!” • “This is fascinating. I can't wait for the next two courses.” • “Really well done, thanks!” • “Thank you!!!! So very excited!” • “Thought provoking. Thank you.” • “Thank you! So informative and helpful.” • “Thank you for making ChatGPT so much more approachable, less intimidating” • “This was a thought-provoking session!” • “I am learning so much from your ChatGPT Bootcamp and am loving the sessions: thank you!” • “Thank you so much for such great presentations.” • “Thanks for this! Super interesting.” • “Thank you so much.. very informative and eye opening” • “Thank you for this valuable information!” • “Thank you so much. Sessions are extremely valuable.” • “Thanks! This boot camp has been a big hit so far :) ” • “This has been fantastic!” • “I cannot thank you enough for this extremely timely and informative series. You do an excellent job of organizing your information, engaging with your audience, and giving us practical takeaways.” • “This is a fantastic series and I am so grateful that you are doing this!” • “Thanks so much for these wonderful Bootcamp sessions on ChatGPT.” • “Thank you for your very thoughtful approach to the bootcamp! ” • “A note of gratitude for providing these webinars for the world! My Library colleagues and I attended your Bootcamp for Librarians and were so impressed with your content and delivery that we wanted our teachers to learn from you too!” • “Lots of useful information. Looking forward to having access to slide decks and resources to make use of in my job.” • “Thank you!” • “This was great. Lots to learn.” • “Thank you it was so beneficial.” • “It's was great. ChatGPT is new to me, so now I want to dig deeper, learn how to use it well and help my students to do so.”