The UK electronic information Group (UKeiG) is pleased to announce that its online Annual Forum will be held on the afternoon of Tuesday 9^th December 2025.

The Zoom event starts at 1.30 pm and finishes at 4 pm and is free for all CILIP and UKeiG members. CILIP Employer Partners and non-members can book for the nominal fees listed below. 

The key theme of this year’s forum will embrace key aspects of UKeiG's portfolio: AI, data management and open access.

There will be three presentations:

• Justified caution? AI and the library and information profession
• Using AI to manage the digital heap
• Innovative education in scholarly communication and open research at the University of Essex.

Book here: https://www.cilip.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2009738&group=201314

Programme for the afternoon

1.30pm

Welcome and introductory presentation.

Justified caution? AI and the library and information profession

This will reflect on the results of CILIP's recent survey of AI in the UK LIS profession, exploring the current use of and attitudes towards AI. It seems to be early days with some development of policy, many AI literacy offerings, and a tentative uptake of AI in library services.

Presenter Andrew Cox is a senior lecturer at the School of Information, Journalism and Communication, University of Sheffield. He is convenor of the IFLA Special Interest Group on AI and a former chair of ASIS&T’s AI SIG. As well as author of many recent peer reviewed journal articles on AI and libraries, he is co-author of the 2025 book, AI for Knowledge, published by CRC press. https://sheffield.ac.uk/ijc/people/andrew-cox

2.30pm

A brief Chair's overview of UKeiG activity over 2025

2.40pm

Using AI to manage the digital heap

Dr James Lappin of the Government Digital Service (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) will discuss the GDS's recently published 'AI Insights - Using AI to manage the digital heap.' 'The vast majority of content created by the government takes the form of unstructured data. Unstructured data is the content that your organisation holds in its document repositories, collaboration systems and communication systems, which typically includes documents, posts, chat messages, emails, images and recordings. Efficient management of this data is vital for enabling organisations to operate effectively and account for their actions and decisions.'

The presentation highlights a range of ways in which an organisation can integrate AI and data science techniques into their overall approach to applying retention rules to live and inactive legacy content.

3.30pm

Innovative education in scholarly communication and open research at the University of Essex

An ambition to diversify the way scholarly communication and open research training is delivered underpins much of the work of the University of Essex’s Research Services Team. In this presentation, Hannah Crago (Open Research Development Librarian) and Liam Bullingham (Assistant Director - Academic and Research Services) will discuss some key developments in this area, including gamification of topics such as open access publishing and copyright, alongside providing both students and researchers hands on experience of diamond open access through the Essex Student Journal.

4.00pm

Close

Booking and payment

The forum is free for all UKeiG/CILIP members.

Employer Partner staff £20 + VAT (Please contact your rep or email employerpartners@cilip.org.uk for the discount code).

Non-members £35 + VAT.

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=2009738&group=201314