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Artificial Intelligence + ACRL Frameworks

This libguide explores the integration of generative AI with the Framework for Information Literacy. It examines authority, information creation, value, research inquiry, and scholarship as conversation in relation to generative AI.

Authority Is Constructed and Contextual

Information resources reflect their creators’ expertise and credibility, and are evaluated based on the information need and the context in which the information will be used. Authority is constructed in that various communities may recognize different types of authority. It is contextual in that the information need may help to determine the level of authority required.

—Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education, Page 12

Authority is Constructed & Contextual: Comparison

How is the context presented?

How is the context presented?

Scholarly

The scholar provides a literature review and bibliography of sources consulted in the production of the work.

Crowdsourced

Contributors provide either links or references to source material. 

Generative AI

The tool can present the user with follow-up questions to their prompt which may lead to added context.

Who is the intended audience?

Who is the intended audience?

Scholarly

Scholars typically write for other scholars in the field.

Crowdsourced

Contributors write for other members of their community.

Generative AI

Generative AI responds to user input.

How is authority reinforced?

How is authority reinforced?

Scholarly

Other experts in the field reinforce authority through the peer review process.

Crowdsourced

Other members of the community can read contributions and suggest corrections.

Generative AI

Generative AI relies on the LLM and training documentation to reinforce its authority.

What is the scope of the work?

What is the scope of the work?

Scholarly

Scholarly works tend to have a narrow focus on a specific question.

Crowdsourced

Crowdsourced works tend to lead a broad discussion on a more generalized subject. 

Generative AI

Generative AI uses a wide set of training data to enable it to simulate discussions of an expansive range of topics.

Who is authoritative?

Who is authoritative?

Scholarly

A small group of experts determine who is authoritative.

Crowdsourced

A large community discussion comes to a consensus on whose contribution is authoritative.

Generative AI

An immense corpus of documents determines the authoritative output of the tool.