The North Chatham Free Library in New York state has gained significant online attention following the announcement of its upcoming 'Goodbye, AI' workshop. The event flyer, which aims to help residents disable artificial intelligence features on their smartphones and laptops, received over 8,000 likes and 200 comments on Facebook.
The library serves a small community with approximately 800 registered cardholders. The initiative was developed by full-time librarian Shea Whelter in response to frequent requests from patrons, particularly elderly residents who expressed frustration with AI-driven features like Gmail's auto-reply and autocomplete functions.
The concept was inspired by librarian Hannah Cyrus, who advocates for libraries to assist patrons in both adopting and rejecting technology. Cyrus previously launched a series of free courses on disabling AI tools, which saw higher attendance than standard technology classes and drew inquiries from hundreds of librarians worldwide.
While Whelter occasionally uses AI for drafting complex policy documents, she noted that many patrons have no interest in using these tools. The 'Goodbye, AI' event is scheduled for next week on a walk-in basis. Whelter expressed uncertainty regarding the turnout, noting that even 20 attendees would be considered a high number for the small facility.
