Published: Jan 10th, 2025 by Dr. Lili Luo

AI literacy is defined as the ability to recognize, understand, use, and critically evaluate artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and their impacts. As AI permeates various industries, AI-literate graduates will have a competitive edge in the job market. AI literacy cultivates critical thinking, enabling students to comprehend AI’s limitations, ethical implications, and potential biases. AI literacy is a fundamental skill for navigating the AI era, allowing students to harness its benefits while mitigating risks.

Academic libraries can play a pivotal role in enhancing college students’ AI literacy. In the United States, libraries have curated AI-focused resources, developed workshops to demystify AI concepts, ethical implications, and applications. Furthermore, librarians can collaborate with faculty to integrate AI literacy into curricula, fostering interdisciplinary learning. 

I conducted a pilot study to analyze libraries’ efforts in supporting AI literacy education via a content analysis study examing US libraries’ LibGuides on AI literacy. LibGuides are the most frequently used systems for US librarians to create user-friendly online guides or mini-websites on specific topics. This study specifically focused on the content and themes represented in AI Literacy LibGuides from a sample of ten academic libraries, including five research universities, three teaching universities, and two junior colleges.

The content analysis revealed a strong emphasis on the ethical use of AI across all sampled libraries, highlighting the significance of AI and academic integrity. Libraries were unanimous (100%) in their inclusion of guidelines for ethically disclosing AI use, understanding and utilizing AI detectors, citing AI-generated content, and recognizing AI’s impact on academic publishing and copyright. This uniform presence underscores the academic community’s emphasis on responsible AI usage and transparency in scholarly work.

Another widely covered theme was AI fundamentals, present in 90% of the libraries sampled. These sections included basic explanations of AI concepts, terminology, and the underlying technologies. This focus on foundational knowledge reflects a commitment to providing all library users, regardless of their prior AI knowledge, with a solid grounding in AI concepts.

Approximately 70% of the sampled libraries included sections defining AI literacy, discussing critical thinking and evaluation skills for AI-generated information, and emphasizing effective use of AI tools. These topics are central to helping students discern AI-generated content’s reliability and accuracy and providing guidance on using AI tools for academic purposes. This category also covered specific guidance on constructing effective AI prompts, ensuring that students and faculty could utilize AI tools to their fullest potential.

College-specific AI policies and resources, such as training workshops, also appeared in 70% of the LibGuides. This inclusion demonstrates how institutions tailor their AI literacy support to the unique needs of their communities. Moreover, 60% of the sampled libraries included AI-related guidance and resources specifically for instructors, acknowledging the importance of equipping educators to guide students effectively in AI literacy.

A smaller portion of the guides presented a balanced view of AI, covering both its benefits and limitations (40%). Only 20% of libraries highlighted environmental and ethical concerns associated with AI, such as environmental impact, labor exploitation, privacy issues, and risks of AI “hallucinations” (instances where AI generates false or misleading information). Similarly, only 20% of the libraries explicitly mentioned their own library policies or resources regarding AI, which suggests that formal AI policies may still be evolving within academic library settings.

Findings from the study highlight the priorities and evolving areas within academic libraries’ AI literacy efforts. While ethical use and foundational understanding dominate the content in these LibGuides, there is variability in how libraries address AI’s broader societal implications and institutional policies. As AI technology and its role in academia continue to develop, academic libraries may play an increasingly crucial role in equipping students and faculty with the critical skills and ethical understanding needed to navigate an AI-rich academic landscape.