We are excited to announce that Aphra Kerr will be our keynote speaker at this year’s LAI/CILIP Ireland Joint Annual Conference. As well as delivering the keynote address on Friday April 11th, she will also be holding a workshop during the conference exploring AI and media literacy through her Algowatch project.
Aphra Kerr is Professor of Digital Media and Communication at the School of Information and Communication Studies at University College Dublin in Ireland and a Senior Advisor at the UCD Centre for Digital Policy. She is co-PI at the Research Ireland funded ADAPT Centre for AI and Digital Content Technology (2021-2026) where her research focuses on the ethics and values underpinning the design and governance of AI and how to mediate the impacts of AI systems. She is also co-PI on the Algowatch project (2023-2025), funded by Creative Europe. This project is co-creating interactive resources to improve algorithmic literacy, critical thinking and digital competencies. Aphra is the author of over 100 peer reviewed publications and two books on digital games. She has a PhD in Communication Studies (DCU, 2000). See https://people.ucd.ie/aphra.kerr and you will find her on Linked in, and @aphrak.bsky.com
Workshop: Building Algorithmic and AI Literacy
AI is moving at a rapid speed and sometimes it feels like educators and librarians are loosing ground to technology companies. It is time to take back some control and tackle automated mis and disinformation. Starting with a Media and Information Literacy approach, and informed by the latest European Framework for Digital Competencies, this workshop presents some key definitions we all need to know and then we will share some hands on activites and interactive resources we can all use to improve our digital literacy and that of others. Chat with your colleagues rather than with GPT. Based on the Algowatch project. Bring a Windows PC/laptop or Android tablet or phone for the activites.