The UK electronic information Group (UKeiG) is pleased to announce a repeat of its popular half-day online CPD course ‘Artificial intelligence for librarians, information and knowledge professionals’ between 1 pm and 4 pm on Tuesday 15th July 2025. 

 

Book Now: https://www.cilip.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1966196&group=201314

 

AI has provided daily news headlines, sparking curiosity but also uncertainty, even anxiety.

 

There is hype, but also hope.

 

It is a key professional issue touching on every aspect of the work of the library, information and knowledge community, with relevance to the critical appraisal of content validity, data quality and management, ethics, intellectual property, plagiarism and legal compliance.

 

This three-hour course seeks to inform delegates about the nature of AI and will help you get to grips with how to use it responsibly.

 

We have had exposure to forms of AI for many years using functions like predictive text, autocorrection, grammar checking, personalised recommendation, search ranking, captioning, automated transcription and translation. 

 

Many database vendors are incorporating AI into their products. More specifically the library and information community has relevant experience through the support of text and data mining, of data science and digital humanities, the promotion of data literacy, and in the use of learning and library analytics. These are only the beginning of exciting developments that may well impact information work profoundly in areas like knowledge discovery through to analysing, even predicting, user behaviour. Information professionals may have roles in evaluating systems and products using AI, generating metadata and training users to navigate AI based search systems, and acquire data/AI literacy.

 

This course is an introduction to AI designed specifically for library, information and knowledge professionals to enable them to get up to speed on this critical topic. As well as introducing the applications of AI in an accessible way, part of the course is designed to give delegates an insight into what is involved under the hood of AI applications. We aim to provide you with theoretical and practical experience of working with some AI tools.

 

This course is ideal for any library, information and knowledge professional interested in developing an understanding of AI as it applies to their work.

 

• Understand the concept of AI and its application in information service contexts
• Acquire an in-depth appreciation of AI technology and AI literacy
• Acquire a broad overview of standard AI methods and approaches
• Benefit from hands-on experience with some machine learning tools
• Build knowledge and confidence to go forward to learn more.

• Exploring definitions of AI, and how it might be applied to the work of information professionals
• What is AI literacy?
• Ethics of responsible AI
• Overview of machine learning approaches and methods
• The fundamental concepts in machine learning using Jisc’s Explore AI toolset
• A hands-on session exploring one of the most relevant machine learning methods (text classification), working through a set of Python scripts to give participants an insight into what’s involved in coding for AI
• A discussion of the range of roles for information professionals in AI and the skills, values and vision needed
• Further reading and resources.

Andrew Cox is a senior lecturer at the Information School, University of Sheffield, and author of his independently researched report - ‘The Impact of AI, machine learning, automation and robotics on the information profession’ - published by CILIP in 2020. It called for a ‘joined-up and coherent response from information professionals, enabling us to maximise the benefits of AI, machine learning, automation and robotics for information users while mitigating the emerging risks.' He is convenor of the IFLA special interest group on AI and the chair elect of the ASIS&T SIG on AI.

 

Suvodeep Mazumdar is a senior Lecturer in the Information School at the University of Sheffield. His primary research interest is Big Data Analytics and Crowdsourcing. He conducts inter-disciplinary research on highly engaging, interactive and visual mechanisms in conjunction with complex querying techniques for seamless navigation, exploration and understanding of complex datasets and has applied his research in various application domains (such as health informatics, smart cities, emergency response etc.)

 

The course (including presentation slides and documentation) costs:

• UKeiG/CILIPmembers £50 + VAT
• Non-members £80 +VAT
• EmployerPartner staff £64 + VAT (Please contact your rep or email employerpartners@cilip.org.uk forthe discount code)

Credit and debit cards are the preferred method of payment. Invoices are available on request using the online ‘Bill me’ option. 

 

For more information, and to book online, go to: https://www.cilip.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1966196&group=201314

 

All UKeiG’s upcoming CPD events for 2025 are regularly updated at: https://www.cilip.org.uk/events/event_list.asp?show=&group=201314 

 

Upcoming courses include:

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UKeiG is a Special Interest Group of CILIP: the library and information association

Registered Charity No. 313014

CILIP members can join UKeiG for free via the CILIP website

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