Librarians are hosting popular 'Avoiding AI' workshops to guide users through the technical steps required to disable AI-driven tools on their personal devices. These sessions aim to address growing public frustration over the involuntary integration of generative AI into everyday software and hardware.
The Rise of 'Avoiding AI' Workshops
A burgeoning trend among public libraries is providing a direct response to user fatigue regarding forced artificial intelligence updates. Librarians Hannah Cyrus in Maine and Charlie Bailey in South Philadelphia have initiated workshops titled 'Avoiding AI,' designed to help patrons navigate the often-complex settings of their smartphones and computers. These sessions are not centered on a complete rejection of technology; rather, they focus on providing practical digital literacy skills. Bailey describes the program as a way for individuals to reclaim their autonomy in an era where AI-powered features are frequently pushed onto users without explicit consent. The workshops involve step-by-step demonstrations, with instructors projecting instructions that guide participants through the specific menus needed to disable AI tools like Gemini or Apple Intelligence, effectively allowing users to curate their digital experiences according to their own preferences rather than corporate mandates.
Catalysts and Community Response
The overwhelming demand for these workshops highlights a significant segment of the population that feels alienated by recent tech industry trajectories. Hannah Cyrus, whose initial journal article regarding these workshops spurred interest globally, noted that the level of engagement is unprecedented in her career. Her first events saw such high interest that she had to impose attendance caps and offer virtual participation to accommodate 70 attendees. Similarly, Charlie Bailey’s sessions in Philadelphia garnered massive local attention, with social media promotion for the event receiving over 2,000 likes. Participants in these sessions are not typically tech-averse; they are often individuals expressing exhaustion with the intrusive nature of modern AI integration. Attendees have shared their personal frustrations, ranging from the environmental impact of massive data centers to the feeling of having their productivity workflows forcibly automated by software they already use.
Advocating for Agency Over AI
The central motivation behind these programs is to challenge the 'forced adoption' model employed by major technology companies. Librarians acting as facilitators argue that they are performing a necessary public service by demystifying how AI operates and providing the 'off' switches that are often buried deep within device settings. For instance, participants trade practical tips, such as using specific URL parameters to hide AI-generated results in search engines, demonstrating a community-driven effort to maintain manual control. The consensus among those attending these workshops is that while they recognize the potential utility of AI in niche sectors—such as medical research or historical document preservation—they object to the broad, sweeping integration of the technology into their daily lives. By providing this instruction, libraries are positioning themselves as vital spaces for digital sovereignty, helping the public navigate an environment where major tech firms exert an increasingly dominant influence over personal device functionality.
⚖ The Balanced View
Supporting view
Some workshop attendees acknowledge that AI technology can be beneficial, specifically citing potential breakthroughs in the medical field as a positive application.
Concerns & criticism
Participants express frustration with the forced nature of AI features, citing concerns about environmental impacts, such as the construction of data centers, and the perceived loss of agency over their own digital tools.
→What's next
Librarians are continuing to refine their curricula as interest in these workshops grows globally. It is expected that more public institutions will adopt similar digital literacy programming to support citizens seeking to manage their own technology usage independently.