AI, ChatGPT, and You

Submitted by Nick

You have probably heard about AI (Artificial Intelligence) systems in the news recently, particularly systems like ChatGPT that can be used for all kinds of work-related tasks. You may have also heard that certain countries and companies are banning ChatGPT and other LLM (Large Language Model) systems due to privacy concerns regarding how these systems retain and use the information that they gather from users.

It remains to be seen how exactly this new technology will find its way into systems in the library world. For the time being, I would simply like to remind you that the same patron and employee confidentiality rules that are already in place still apply. So please be careful not to enter personal or sensitive patron or employee information like names, addresses, email addresses or phone numbers, or reading history information into these systems if you choose to use them.

For example, you might use one of these systems to help with a reading suggestion. A good question to ask the system in this case would be something like “Recommend me books similar to the Geronimo Stilton series.” or “Find me books that are considered cozy mysteries." You would not want to use a query like “Jane Doe likes x, y, and z. Find me some books that are similar.” because that gives the system potential information about Jane Doe that could be retained by the company running the system.

It is also worth pointing out that these systems are still in the early stages of development and are not always reliable or truthful in the answers that they provide. In the book recommendation example above, I would still suggest double checking any book recommendations the system might produce to make sure that the items suggested are in fact appropriate for the age group and audience that you are trying to help.