University of Illinois (University of Illinois, School of Information Sciences)

In this Early Career Research Development project, Dr. Yun Huang, an assistant professor in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will explore the potential for library-focused conversational artificial intelligence (AI) to provide libraries with scalable, accessible, and cost-efficient solutions to help serve diverse communities. Working with five public libraries, Huang will apply iterative design methods and explore effective conversational agent software technologies for three scenarios: 1) increasing availability of online information and library services; 2) producing novel training solutions that can be used for skill building and workforce development of library staff; and 3) promoting more accessible dialogue with diverse community members. The applied research outcomes will contribute to developing a library workforce in the era of AI, strengthening engagement between libraries and diverse audiences, and building a public service theoretical framework.