AI You Didn't Ask For: Costs, Risks, and Choices for Libraries
Title
AI You Didn't Ask For: Costs, Risks, and Choices for Libraries
Description
Presentation at the CALA Canada 2026 Annual Event
Creator
Zhang, Wei
Source
CALA Canada 2026 Annual Event
Publisher
Chinese American Librarians Association
Date
2026-05-28
Rights
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Format
application/pdf
Language
eng
Type
Text; Presentation
Abstract
As AI-powered features such as “Ask AI” and embedded research assistants become increasingly common in library resources, they are often introduced without explicit consultation—and at a cost. This presentation examines how vendors are bundling AI functionalities into existing subscriptions, raising important questions around pricing, privacy, and value. Drawing on recent experiences evaluating tools like ProQuest Ebook Central and the Chronicle of Higher Education, this session highlights key concerns, including limited opt-out options, unclear data practices, and uneven feature maturity. It also offers a practical framework for assessing AI features in licensed resources, supporting more informed and intentional decision-making in collections. Attendees will leave with concrete questions and strategies to guide conversations with vendors and within their institutions.
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Citation
Zhang, Wei, “AI You Didn't Ask For: Costs, Risks, and Choices for Libraries,” CALASYS - CALA Academic Resources & Repository System, accessed June 13, 2026, https://ir.cala-web.org/items/show/1562.