When Silicon Meets Soul: Librarians Lead with Values in a Data-Driven World

Navigate the complex intersection where cutting-edge technology meets core educational values. When students ask AI for essay answers instead of research guidance, librarians must step up as ethical leaders who bridge technological innovation with humanistic principles. This interactive session positions librarians as uniquely qualified AI ethics champions, building on your expertise in information literacy and intellectual freedom. Through real-world scenarios and collaborative problem-solving, you''ll explore critical dilemmas facing education today: balancing student privacy with personalized learning, maintaining academic integrity while embracing AI assistance, and addressing equity issues around AI access and bias. Learn practical leadership strategies for developing stakeholder-informed AI policies, teaching AI literacy alongside traditional information skills, and building cross-departmental coalitions. Interactive elements include scenario-based discussions, "values vs. efficiency" decision trees, and peer sharing of current challenges. Leave with an actionable roadmap: immediate steps to audit your district''s AI tools, 30-day goals for forming ethics committees, and long-term plans for comprehensive AI literacy curricula. This isn''t about rejecting technology—it''s about ensuring human values guide its implementation in educational settings.