AI in your Toolkit: Critical Approaches to Using AI in your Work (Lightning Talk at the 2026 Medical Library Association Annual Conference)
Abstract
Background
Over the past two years, the Library has experienced a sharp rise in questions about generative artificial intelligence (AI). Students, faculty, and staff are increasingly exposed to AI-powered databases and tools and seek guidance on whether these tools can be used responsibly. At the same time, the institution has made substantial investments in AI infrastructure and actively promotes AI adoption across a wide rangeof use cases. Within this environment, Library staff identified a need for coordinated training that moves beyond promotion and instead offers a critical and practical perspective to build AI literacy in the campus community.
Description
Between November 2025 and May 2026, the Library offered a six-session workshop series designed to support university students, faculty, and staff in critically examining the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in their professional practice. The series was taught by staff from across the Library and alternated between hands-on workshops and facilitated discussions focused on critical and ethical dimensions ofAI. The discussions focused on the environmental impact of AI, AI trustworthiness and bias in AI. The workshops covered AI tools for literature searching, AI as tutor and AI as writing editor. Workshops emphasized experiential learning, allowing participants to experiment with AI tools while reflecting on their appropriateness for specific tasks and contexts. Discussion-based sessions encouraged participants to consider broader implications of AI adoption, including sustainability, equity, and professional responsibility. By combining practical skill development with critical inquiry, the series positioned the Library as a trusted, neutral space for exploring AI in a rapidly evolving institutional landscape.
Conclusion
Although the series is still ongoing, early response has been overwhelmingly positive. The first two sessions—a discussion on the environmental impact of AI and a hands-on workshop on AI tools for literature searching—each attracted more than 100 registrants. Following the series announcement, several faculty groups contacted the Library to request additional information about generative AI services and to schedule presentations for their departments. Internally, the program has fostered new collaborations among Library staff from multiple teams, strengthening shared expertise around AI instruction and consultation. These early outcomes suggest strong demand for critically informed, library-led engagement with generative AI and highlight the Library’s evolving role in supporting responsible AI use across the institution.