Nottingham libraries host AI workshops as council sets policy
Nottingham libraries are hosting AI workshops today as the council prepares to formalise a cautious approach to artificial intelligence across its services later this week.
It's seven degrees or so now and will reach 12 degrees by 1pm. No rain today and very mild wind. There is a low hanging mist around, so remember to turn your bike lights and high vis on.
Exploring AI in drop-in session
Nottingham Central Library is hosting two sessions of today's workshop, called 'Exploring AI at the Library'. They state that they'll cover "what AI is and how it can be used in everyday life", including job interview prep, planning a holiday, or writing a letter. Another session is planned for Hyson Green Library on Wednesday. Registration before hand is required.
Nottinghamshire County Council formalise AI usage
These workshops come the same week that the Nottinghamshire County Council Overview Committee is meeting to formalise its approach to using AI across Nottingham.
In a report to be confirmed on Thursday, the council said it "intends to continue its careful but aspirational approach to AI technology". The report hopes to avoid being carried away with expensive, unproven software, saying that they will "refrain from being cutting edge".
Examples of how AI will be - or could be - used include aggregation of multi-agency information to flag areas of safeguarding, education, health, and social care which need early intervention. AI chatbots are listed as a way to give advice on parenting and child development. The report suggests it can also be used to automate funding decisions.
One page of the seven-page report considers the risks of using this kind of software.
Despite highlighting automated decision making as a use case, one risk raised is that "algorithmic bias may lead to incorrect decisions", and how it offers "fabricated content".
The libraries' workshops cover much less risky topics than those a council has to contend with. It can certainly help those lacking confidence to write a letter, for instance. The Morning Briefing has mentioned before how convenient the software can be for information gathering. It's clear that these tools all need special consideration in their output. A previous Council report said that human empathy must always remain intact.
