To AI or Not to AI: The Ethics of AI Use
Scope
Artificial intelligence is already embedded in many parts of scholarly communication, from editorial screening and peer review support to metadata creation, production workflows, and discovery systems. The question is no longer whether AI will be used, but how it should be used. As organizations move from experimentation to implementation, leaders are grappling with practical decisions about risk, responsibility, transparency, and trust.
This webinar brings together perspectives that span ethical frameworks, institutional policy, governance strategy, and day to day publishing operations. We will explore how to evaluate AI tools thoughtfully, where human oversight must remain central, and how to balance innovation with accountability. What does responsible adoption look like in practice? How can we ensure more transparent processes? And how can shared norms or standards help the community move forward with confidence? This session aims to provide clarity, candor, and practical insight at a pivotal moment as we navigate real operational pressures.
Speakers: Daniel Ayala, Founder and Managing Partner, Secratic; Meredith McFadden, AI Ethics Research Scientist, Institute for Experiential AI at Northeastern University; Sharesly Rodriguez, AI Librarian, San Jose State University; and Katie Shilton, Professor, INFO Department, University of Maryland and Lead, Ethics & Values in Design (EViD) Lab.
This webinar will be moderated by Rusty Michalak, Library Director, Goldey-Beacom College.
Event Sessions
Speakers
Rusty Michalak of Goldey-Beacom College served as the moderator for this program.
The following questions were posed to our speakers:
Who holds authority and responsibility when artificial intelligence is used in research and information work?
How are decisions about the use of AI initiated and guided within scholarly and information communities?
How can researchers critically examine the systems and structures that shape AI technologies?
What kinds of research projects or investigations can benefit from AI-based tools and resources?
How reliable and trustworthy are the outputs generated by AI systems?
What perspectives do experts bring to the conversation about ethical AI use?
How do professionals across different roles approach the opportunities and risks of AI?
How should individuals and organizations decide when it is appropriate to use AI?
What ethical frameworks or guidelines can help people make responsible AI decisions?
What common concerns or uncertainties do professionals share when thinking about AI adoption?
Additional Information
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Broadcast Platform
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Event Dates
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Fees
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Location
Educational events are online programs. NISO uses the Zoom platform for the purpose of broadcasting our live events. Zoom provides apps for a variety of computing devices (tablets, laptops, etc.) To view the broadcast, you need a device that supports the Zoom app. Attendees may also choose to listen just to audio on their phones. Sign-on credentials include the necessary dial-in numbers, if that is your preference. Once notified of their availability, recordings may be viewed from the Zoom platform.
Registrants received sign-on instructions prior to the virtual event. If you have any questions, please contact NISO headquarters for assistance via email (nisohq@niso.org).