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Generative Artificial Intelligence

This guide offers information to help Library users learn basic information about AI, and make choices about using AI tools in academic work.

Generative artificial intelligence has already started to have an impact on the way we discover, manage, create, and disseminate information. 

Generative AI tools are in a state of rapid development, and new information about applications, policies, and social impact is released each day. While every attempt will be made to keep this guide up to date, please be aware that the information included here is likely to age quickly. 

The Library does not endorse any specific AI technologies, and encourages users to be cautious about sharing personal information when using AI tools. 

Critical AI Learning Community

Mondays from noon - 12:50 pm, September 16, 2024 - December 2, 2024. Join at any point in the semester. 
Location: Rockefeller Library Digital Scholarship Lab. Some meetings will be hybrid via Zoom. 
Lunch is provided. Register online 

***If you registered for the Critical AI Learning Community last year, please register again for the 2024-2025 school year.***

A participant-led learning community where students, faculty, and staff meet to explore and critique artificial intelligence technology, and its implications for learners and researchers throughout the Brown community. Learners of all levels and backgrounds are encouraged to share their experiences, questions, and ideas. 

The goals for this community include:

  • Become familiar with key concepts and terminology related to artificial intelligence
  • Learn the basics of using generative AI tools
  • Develop skills for evaluating and critiquing AI technology
  • Explore emergent applications of AI technology
  • Develop an understanding of the opportunities and drawbacks posed by AI technology

We shape this community together! We encourage all participants to also be contributors - to help design, inquire, and share throughout our lunchtime meetings. Our hope is that participants will discuss and propose their own ideas and share in the stewardship of this respectful, inclusive, and generative space.

Learning Community Tracks: Our sessions this year will focus on five key themes:

Track 1 AI in Research Methods: understanding when and how to use AI to supplement or replace human work in parts of the research process.

Track 2 AI and Society: exploring the intersection of technology and societal issues.

Track 3 AI in the Library: examining the impact of AI on the way you find, use, and share information.

Track 4 AI and Humanistic Research: Using critical digital humanities approaches to experiment with emerging Generative AI technologies and develop novel humanistic research.

Track 5 Learning with AI: Hands-on explorations and discussions of AI tools and technology.

Library Workshops

The Library will offer workshops on using and critiquing generative artificial intelligence during the fall semester. Visit the Library's workshops calendar after the start of the semester to learn more. 

Canvas Course: Writing and Citing Critically: An AI Guide for Informed Students

This learning resource will help you develop an understanding of generative artificial intelligence technology, the social impact of this emerging technology, and the impact it may have on your writing process. This resource is a collaboration of the Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning and Brown University Library.

To view the course, sign in to canvas.brown.edu, then click "Commons" on the left menu. The course is titled "Writing and Citing Critically: An AI Guide for Informed Students." Instructions for importing the module(s) into an existing class are included. Faculty can choose to import all or only part of the content into their class.