Session Highlight: The Untapped Power of Libraries in the AI Era

Artificial intelligence is transforming how we learn, work, and connect, but access to these technologies remains far from equal. In a moment when digital literacy defines opportunity, public libraries are quietly becoming one of the most important players in the AI revolution. At GovAI Summit, the session The Untapped Power of Libraries in the AI Era explores how these long-trusted civic institutions are emerging as gateways for AI literacy, workforce upskilling, and ethical innovation across the public sector.

Libraries have always been more than repositories of information. They are places where communities gather to learn, explore, and gain access to tools that might otherwise be out of reach. In the AI era, that mission is expanding. Public libraries are creating hands-on learning labs, offering workshops on AI fundamentals, and partnering with local governments and universities to build accessible digital learning ecosystems. These initiatives aren’t just about teaching people to use technology; they’re about ensuring that the benefits of artificial intelligence extend beyond those with technical or financial privilege.

The rise of AI in government has made it clear that digital inclusion is a matter of policy as much as access. As discussed in Building Government AI Talent, equitable AI adoption requires a pipeline of knowledgeable citizens and public servants. Libraries can play a pivotal role in cultivating that pipeline. They are trusted, nonpartisan spaces where individuals can engage with emerging technologies safely and critically in an environment that complements formal government training and public sector AI initiatives.

This session also highlights how libraries are becoming key partners in advancing AI policy and responsible innovation. By hosting community dialogues on ethics, bias, and transparency, libraries foster a culture of questioning and accountability. As explored in Trust and Transparency in Government AI Systems, maintaining public confidence in AI requires open engagement. Libraries are uniquely positioned to facilitate these conversations by bridging the gap between policymakers, technologists, and the people their decisions affect.

Moreover, libraries embody what AI governance aspires to achieve: accessibility, accountability, and equity. They provide a model for how public institutions can evolve responsibly in an era of rapid change. This resonates with themes from From White House to Workflows: Making Policy Practical, where leaders discussed the importance of turning high-level strategies into tangible, local impact. Libraries already operate at that intersection by translating complex digital concepts into real-world skills and opportunities.

As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in everyday life, libraries can help ensure it remains a public good. They can introduce communities to generative AI tools, support workforce transition programs, and offer guidance on data ethics and digital safety. For many, a local library might be the first place they encounter AI in a meaningful, empowering way.

The session The Untapped Power of Libraries in the AI Era invites technologists, policymakers, and civic leaders to recognize libraries not as relics of a pre-digital world, but as essential partners in building an inclusive AI future. The next phase of digital transformation depends not only on innovation but on inclusion, and libraries are where that inclusion begins.

Join us at GovAI Summit to hear from experts who are redefining the relationship between artificial intelligence and the public sector and see firsthand how libraries are lighting the path toward a more inclusive digital future.