9:30 am – 10:30 am: AI in Education: Caution, Clarity, and the Role of Librarians
Keynote: Elissa Malespina, Author of The AI School Librarian Newsletter and owner of Educational Equity Advisors
In this session, we’ll examine the promises and pitfalls of AI in schools through the lens of librarianship. Using real-world case studies — including LAUSD’s failed AI chatbot experiment — we’ll uncover hidden flaws in AI-driven education that often go unspoken by tech companies. Participants will leave with practical, librarian-led strategies to support ethical AI use, foster student inquiry, and future-proof their roles in an increasingly automated world. This is not about resisting technology; it’s about leading its responsible, equitable integration.
10:45 am – 11:45 am: Teaching About AI, Not Just With AI: Bypassing The Cheating Issue
Dr. Chris Harris, Director of the School Library System for Genesee Valley BOCES and Senior Fellow with the American Library Association
Betsy Hartnett, Director of the School Library System for Oneida and Herkimer BOCES and Director for Media and School Library CoSers for Oneida BOCES
Dr. Harris and Ms. Hartnett will talk about the LibraryReady.AI Scope and Sequence and how to make more effective use of AI without worrying about the cheating issue by focusing on the process of learning and not the products of learning. The answer is to move towards a performance-based model assessment.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Break / lunch
Sign off for a bit and go touch grass!
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Practical AI: Lessons from an Academic Librarian’s Journey
J. Denice Lewis, Research and Instruction Librarian for Engineering and Science at Wake Forest University
Whether you’re a novice with AI or an expert, let’s talk about different ways that AI tools can be used as a librarian. Denice will share real-world examples of the AI tools she uses in her role for productivity, research, and instruction.
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm: AI and the Future of Work
Dr. Ifeoma Ajunwa, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Projects and Partnerships at Emory University School of Law
A major concern of the A.I. revolution is what it means for the futures of work. In her book, Quantified Worker, Dr. Ajunwa details the various ways that A.I. technologies are already changing the workspace, especially regarding hiring and management. In this presentation, Professor Ajunwa notes the various futures of work that could be created by A.I. technologies and provides a guide for what both governments and individuals can do to ensure that we are moving towards a future of prosperity for everyone.
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm: Closing Remarks