Librarians Host Viral 'Avoiding AI' Workshops to Help Users Reclaim Digital Autonomy
Librarians Charlie Bailey in South Philadelphia and Hannah Cyrus in Maine have launched popular 'Avoiding AI' workshops teaching people how to disable AI features on their devices. Bailey's workshop covers disabling Apple Intelligence and Gemini, while Cyrus's sessions at Bangor Public Library attracted 70 attendees each. The workshops respond to user frustration with forced AI adoption in everyday tech. Bailey's Instagram post about the event received over 2,000 likes and 220 shares. Attendees share tips like appending '&udm=14' to Google searches to hide AI results. The movement advocates for user control and agency over technology, not rejection of all AI.
Key facts
- Charlie Bailey hosts 'Avoiding AI' workshops in South Philadelphia.
- Hannah Cyrus started the workshop concept in Maine.
- Bailey's workshop teaches disabling Apple Intelligence and Gemini.
- Cyrus's first two workshops had about 70 attendees each.
- Bailey's library Instagram post got over 2,000 likes and 220 shares.
- Attendees share tips like appending '&udm=14' to Google searches.
- Workshops address forced AI adoption and digital literacy.
- Cyrus published a journal article about developing her workshop.
Entities
Institutions
- TechCrunch
- Bangor Public Library
Locations
- South Philadelphia
- Philadelphia
- Maine
- Bangor