Building on the keynote in the morning, this is the panel where we look at what the growth of AI and its applications means for how libraries work. How can we seize the opportunities without getting carried away? How can we act on the threats without running scared? How can we maintain and make the most of our role as the key community information infrastructure in an AI world? How do we ensure our library is AI ready?
Speakers: Kate Conroy, Neil Fitzgerald, Carlo Iacono
Moderator: Leslie Weir
Kate Conroy
Dr S. Kate Conroy (née Devitt) is a specialist in building trustworthy, ethical, and assured robotics, autonomous systems, and artificial Intelligence (RAS-AI) systems in both military and civilian domains. Kate is a Specialist Advisor AI Safety and Assurance Queensland Government and Specialist Capability Officer (Lead Responsible AI), Jericho Disruptive Innovation, Royal Australian Air Force. 2021-2023 Dr Conroy was Chief Scientist Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence CRC, responsible for helping build ethical, lawful, and assured trusted autonomous systems for military purposes. 2009-2015 she was an academic skills advisor QUT Library. She has a PhD in philosophy (epistemology, cognitive science and applied ethics) and graduate certificate in cognitive science, Rutgers University NJ USA and a BA (Hons) History & Philosophy of Science, Melbourne University (philosophy of statistics). She is Adjunct Professor QUT Centre for Robotics and Adjunct A/Professor Human-Centred Computing ITEE, University of Queensland.
Carlo Iacono
Carlo Iacono is a forward-thinking leader in library services with over 27 years of experience across Australia and the UK. As University Librarian at Charles Sturt University, he’s driving the ethical integration of AI into higher education, taking on the monicker of AI Strategy Development Advisor for 6 months earlier this year. Carlo was instrumental in the creation of the now approved AI principles, drafted AI governance and risk frameworks, plus an AI strategic plan for the next year and most recently has developed and continues to work on ‘AI Conversations’, a bite-sized training course to boost AI literacy.
He’s been involved in a number early pilots of GenAI use at CSU, including creating a sophisticated prompt to analyse written work. Carlo advocates for a fundamental shift in assessment practices to address the challenges posed by AI. His vision for the future of librarianship emphasises librarians as key partners in navigating the AI landscape, fostering critical thinking, and ensuring ethical use. Throughout his career, Carlo has consistently driven innovation, focusing on team empowerment and improving customer experiences while adapting library services for the digital age.
Neil Fitzgerald
Neil Fitzgerald is Head of Digital Research at the British Library. He leads the Digital Research Team, which works across the organisation to ensure the Library’s collections, systems, policies, and processes meet the emerging needs of those who want to deeply integrate digital content, data, and methods, into their work.
A member of a number of advisory boards in the fields of digital humanities and digital cultural heritage, including: Secretariat Member of AI4LAM (Artificial Intelligence for Libraries, Archives & Museums), Executive Committee Member of the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF), and Executive Board Member of the IMPACT Centre of Competence (digitisation). He has also been accountable for the successful delivery of a number of major digital initiatives in the UK and internationally.
Leslie Weir
Leslie Weir is the Librarian and Archivist of Canada leading Library and Archives Canada (LAC) since August 2019. Leslie is overseeing LAC’s work on Reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation, and the implementation of Vision 2030 with a focus on transformation of service and IT infrastructure as LAC looks forward to the upcoming move of its public services into Ādisōke in 2026 in partnership with the Ottawa Public Library, all in support of achieving its mandate with a focus on people and access. As University Librarian at the University of Ottawa, Leslie played important roles in many transformative moments at the Canadian Research Knowledge Network and in research libraries and archives in Canada. Leslie served as President of Canadiana.org, the Canadian Association of Research Libraries and the Ontario Library Association. She is currently a member of the FAN (Forum of National archivists) Steering Committee, Vice-Chair of CDNL (Conference of Directors of National Libraries) and President-elect of IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions).