AI Issues

Helping people is difficult. Rewarding at times but often strange as you peer into the face of another human being and wonder what the hell is happening behind that stressed expression. My general rule of thumb after years in reference is to ask "What the hell are you going to do with this information?"

     Nature rewards curiosity.

     The reference librarian Sean came into my office and sat on the small couch I have for freakouts. I let him sit for a while, looking over a grant application for some new computers. 

     He said, "A kid just asked me for help using AI to write his science paper."

     I tried not to smile. Sean hates smiling when he is upset. "What did you tell him?"

     "I asked him what his paper was on. Parts of a cell."

     "Like mitochondria and shit?"

     "Yeah. He said when he tried to print it out it was stupid looking."

     "Was it stupid looking?"

     "Looked like shit. Can we block AI on the patron computers?"

     "I don't think so." I thought for a moment and my mind drifted to the children's librarian. "Have you thought about partnering with Heather on an AI learning program for kids?"

     "Fuck no."

     We left it at that.