Ethics and AI in the Dutch public library sector

Abstract

Each year the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) systems is increasing, with virtually no sector of society unaffected. AI's implications can be far-reaching, and may also cause concern as questions remain about safety, privacy and autonomy. Public libraries are and should be trusted safe havens for all members of society, regardless of their technical abilities and acumen, and therefore it is imperative that libraries formulate policies, guidelines and procedures on how AI can be integrated into their systems. NBD Biblion and KB National Library of the Netherlands conducted research into the various aspects of AI that affect the Dutch public library sector and how libraries can retain autonomy and fulfil their mission, while not shying away from the use of modern and emerging technologies. In a series of expert meeting, a diverse group of stakeholders was invited to discuss the intersection of ethics, libraries and AI. In this poster, we present some of the key findings of the research and a roadmap of how NBD Biblion, KB and Dutch public libraries plan to proceed to achieve an ethically responsible and safe integration of AI in the library sector.