A small-town librarian's class designed to help people disable AI features on their phones has gained widespread attention. The 'Bye Bye AI' event, inspired by patron requests and a similar initiative by another librarian, aims to address frustrations with automated responses and predictive text.
The viral success of the 'Bye Bye AI' class highlights a growing public sentiment of unease and frustration with the increasing integration of AI into everyday technology, particularly among older demographics. It suggests a demand for digital literacy programs that focus on user control and privacy, rather than solely on adoption of new technologies.
The North Chatham Free Library, a small public library in upstate New York serving approximately 800 cardholders, has gained unexpected national attention for an upcoming event titled 'Bye Bye AI.' The class, designed to help patrons disable artificial intelligence features on their phones and laptops, has gone viral on Facebook, drawing comments and inquiries from across the country and even internationally.
Library director Shea Wert created the event in response to direct requests from community members who expressed frustration with AI-driven features like automatic email replies and predictive text. Wert was inspired by a similar initiative led by librarian Hannah Cyrus, who has successfully offered classes on avoiding AI tools and shared her presentation materials widely among library professionals.
Cyrus's work, published in a library studies journal, suggests that libraries have a role in facilitating patrons' rejection of technology, not just its adoption. Both Wert and Cyrus noted that older adults are the primary demographic seeking assistance with AI and general tech issues, often feeling overwhelmed by new features integrated into services they already use.
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