UKeiG is pleased to announce a repeat of its popular half-day online CPD AI course ‘Generative AI and Retrieval Augmented Generation for librarians, information and knowledge professionals’ between 1 pm and 4 pm on Thursday 27th November 2025.

Book now: https://www.cilip.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2002889&group=201314

Overview

Generative AI chatbots are not search engines but they are changing search expectations.

Since the launch in 2022 of OpenAI's Large Language Model (LLM) chatbot ChatGPT user information behaviour has begun to change with significant implications for the library, information and knowledge profession.

Generative AI has arguably made finding and using information easier, but its reliability is questionable. There are many ethical issues around its training and its wider social and environmental impact.

Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) offers to partly address these issues by enabling the integration of AI technology with a responsibly curated collection of relevant content to increase the reliability of its outputs.

This course will introduce you to the potential of RAG, as well as to definitions of AI literacy that are central to promoting responsible use. 

Who should attend?

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

It complements UKeiG’s course ‘Artificial intelligence for librarians, information and knowledge professionals’.

Course outline and learning outcomes

Participants will gain an understanding of:

Ø  The nature and impact of Generative AI

Ø  Defining Generative AI literacy

Ø  Large Language Models (LLMs) and how to enhance and augment them by creating a customised knowledge base

Ø  Training a Large Language Model using a scholarly dataset.

The course introduces you to:

Ø  Generative AI: a short history

Ø  LLMs: how they work

Ø  Generative AI and information literacy

Ø  Generative AI: building your own RAG system

The course will enable a lively and interactive environment in which participants can share their views and experiences and shape the direction of the discussion. It will also include a deep dive into the technology that is understandable to the non-coding professional and actionable for those with more technical skills.

Speakers

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:

Ø  UKeiG/CILIP members £50 + VAT

Ø  Non-members £80 + VAT

Ø  Employer Partner staff £64 + VAT (Please contact your rep or email employerpartners@cilip.org.uk for the 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=2002889&group=201314

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

Look out for:

YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and beyond: video marketing for libraries and cultural organisations

Data Visualisation for librarians, information and knowledge professionals

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

Registered Charity No. 313014

CILIP members receive discounts on all UKeiG courses. If you're a CILIP member but haven't yet joined the UKeiG, you can update your preferences and join us for free on the CILIP website

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