Jean Darnell: Awaken Librarian

Long time, no see, friends! I know I've gone almost MIA. Trust that it is for good reason: my health. I will elaborate more at a later point in time. However, I had to break my silence to discuss the latest in my quest for a healthy relationship with artificial intelligence...speaking of which, we have moved from the novel and entertaining aspects of generative AI (i.e. "young childhood" stage, if you will) to the covert, scheming perspective (i.e. "rebellious teenage" stage). Before I get into the evidence, comprehension of these terms are required: Digital Appropriation: revamping/repurposing existing digital data to serve the purpose of new content, the transformation of existing artistry or likeness of visual graphics and/or manipulating photos to produce an altered representation; engaging in cultural appropriation online. Covert Scheming Intelligence (CSI): deliberately hiding or withholding data to maintain a positive outcome; intentionally under...

Thank you to everyone who attended my featured presentation sessions at this year's TCEA conference in Austin! I want to personally thank Jeannine Freeman and Stephanie Galvan-Russell for making sure that I had a platform this year at the conference as a presenter. You two are simply the best! As promised, here are my session slides for those that attended my sessions. Please let me know how I can support you in anyway. AI in Our Community: AI in Our Community by Jean Darnell Student-led Agency and Advocacy TCEA25Advocacy by Jean Darnell I also had the opportunity to speak on TCEA's featured podcast, edtechbites , hosted by Gabriel Carrillo with folks I admire: Jorge Valenzuela and Andre Daughty . We quickly formed a bond and named ourselves the Tech Thrillas . 😂 Sign up at the edtechbites website so you don't miss our episode! Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my son, Julian. He served as a teen expert on my "Navigati...

It's with great pleasure that I spoke recently for Koha-US Libraries as their keynote speaker. The theme of the conference centered around "Blazing New Trails, so I did my best to offer that insight as it pertained to Artificial Intelligence. Thank you to Koha-US Library and their 2024 Conference Planning Committee, ByWater Solutions, Round Rock Public Library under the direction of Michelle Cervantes and Rhonda Kupier. To all attendees (in-person/live-stream): I hope you found something I said worthy of investigation and participation as it relates to holding AI accountable in your library communities. I thank you for your time and attention. Below is the live-stream of my presentation. Please enjoy. SCAN THE QR CODE to have your own copy of the slides! 🤓

Hey y'all! Today went well for the Lunch and Learn with ITRT and Awaken Librarian! We more than doubled our usual attendance, which I THANK YOU for being so supportive. If you weren't able to make the LIVE session, then guess what?? I've a recording below. 🤩 Though this was a quick luncheon introduction. I will present a longer, in person session this summer July 24-27th in New Orleans at the 12th National Conference for African American Librarians! We'll have some hands-on activity and a deeper dive into the content. You can register here or reach out to me via email and we can discuss bringing this session to your campus!

Hey y'all! If you were at today's District 3 PD for central Texas librarians, then here's the presentation I used for my portion of the 10:45 session with Dr. Elizabeth Gross and Mr. Henry Stokes: AI in Library Ecosystem by Jean Darnell For the whole presentation along with Henry and Elizabeth, then please view it here: Evidence from social media of the excitement from our District 3 PD: Great insights from speakers today at District 3 fall meeting at @AustinPublicLib pic.twitter.com/06Gpn2rsBy — Texas Library Assn. (@TXLA) November 30, 2023 Getting ready for a great day at the District 3 Fall Meeting! At @AustinPublicLib downtown pic.twitter.com/RbDrAHU31w — Texas Library Assn. (@TXLA) November 30, 2023 Here's a bonus find for my viewers, THE 5 BIG IDEAS FOR AI from ISTE Guide on Ethics and AI:

Quite honestly, if AI (Artificial Intelligence) proves to continue racism/prejudices/biases in favor of white supremacist ideology--as it presently demonstrates-- I DO NOT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. I will use my platform to discuss the inequities--as I presently do--in hopes that improvements are made to represent all perspectivities with authenticity and relevance as it pertains to AI's successes and continuances. Black people have always been scholars, scientists and sage counsel for the world. AI needs to reflect that conviction. Enslavement represents what was done to us, not our history. All of the present hoopla discusses all the "amazing things" AI can do: colleges are in uproar about AI writing papers , entrepreneurs test out the ease of creating business plans , etc. To test out my theory, I asked ChatGPT to write a paper on Black History for #BHM. My gut believed it would present a "whitewashed" version of Black History worse than Flo...