Beyond the Hype: Embedding Ethics in AI Policy for Libraries & Higher Ed, 10/15

As AI tools are rapidly integrated into library and higher education systems, conversations often focus on functionality over ethics. This presentation zooms out from tool-specific uses to examine the deeper legal, ethical, privacy, and policy implications of AI in academic and library settings. Drawing on current examples and institutional trends, it explores what's often missing: genuine privacy protections and ethical design embedded from the start. From vendor contracts to algorithmic bias, this session highlights the risks of uncritical adoption and the need to move beyond performative ethics. Attendees will leave better equipped to challenge the AI status quo and advocate for thoughtful, user-centered implementation that protects the core values of education and librarianship.