Libraries Host Popular Workshops on Avoiding AI Amid Growing Concerns

Washington DC, United States Jul 25, 2026 ALN: “Everybody’s on their phone at my program!” joked Charlie Bailey, a librarian in South Philadelphia. He’s just asked his audience to pull out their phones so that he can walk them through the steps of disabling Apple Intelligence and Gemini.

Bailey stands at the front of a library classroom that’s outfitted for children – the focal point is the vibrant rug he’s standing on, which reminds us that M is for “moon” and Z is for “zebra.” But the 20-odd adults in the room aren’t here to learn about the alphabet. They’re at a workshop called Avoiding AI, which, in this context does not stand for “apple” and “igloo.”

“I was inspired by the feeling of people’s frustration with AI tools being kind of forced onto them, and feeling like AI tools we didn’t ask for are suddenly everywhere in our lives,” Bailey explained.

Bailey starts the hour-long workshop with an overview of how AI chatbots and other consumer AI tools work, explaining why people might want to use these products, and why they might opt to abstain. Then, he walks through all of the most popular tech platforms and devices, showing step-by-step instructions on the projector to guide people through turning off specific features.

“As a librarian, I think it’s important to see this as advancing digital literacy and helping people reclaim their autonomy over whether they want to use AI tools,” Bailey said. “It’s important, especially when it can be so difficult not to use them, and when the design seems to force adoption.”

Bailey got the idea for the Avoiding AI workshop from Hannah Cyrus, a librarian in Maine. He was one of dozens of librarians from around the world who contacted Cyrus after she published a journal article about developing her own workshop.

“This has never happened before with anything I’ve worked on,” Cyrus noted. “Nobody has ever been emailing me like, ‘Can you give me your Intro to Computers slides?’”

At the Bangor Public Library, patrons turn to Cyrus when they need help with anything involving technology.

“More and more, I was getting questions about, ‘How do I turn this [AI] stuff off? Why is it trying to write my emails for me? Why is it trying to summarize my one-sentence email that I can easily read?’” Cyrus said. “I just decided that with so much media hype out there about AI products, it would be a good opportunity to teach people about the basics of what is happening when you’re using this technology, and then getting into how to turn it off if you don’t want to use it.”

Usually, Cyrus’ classes like Intro to Computers get about a dozen attendees. But so many people expressed interest in her first Avoiding AI workshop that she had to cut off registration at 30 people, open a waitlist, and share the workshop on Zoom. Including the livestream, about 70 people attended each of Cyrus’ first two workshops.

When Bailey followed Cyrus’ lead to host a workshop in Philadelphia, the reception was similarly unprecedented. The library’s Instagram post about the “Avoiding AI” event got over 2,000 likes and 220 shares, whereas most of the library’s posts don’t get more than a few dozen likes. He scheduled a second program because the first got too many registrations.

“As an information professional, it feels good to see people skeptical of AI,” Bailey remarked. “It felt really good to see how many people share this feeling.”

There’s a sense of camaraderie among the room of strangers during the workshop. When Bailey invites attendees to share their own tips, one person explains that when you append “&udm=14” to a Google Search, it will hide AI results. Bailey writes the string of characters down on a whiteboard next to the log-in credentials for the teen Wi-Fi server.

“You have to go through all the trouble to buy a home in today’s world, and two years from now, there could be a data center next to your house,” one workshop attendee named Johnny says, highlighting concerns about the implications of AI technology on personal space and privacy.

“I keep getting AI shoved down my throat at work, and every time I see it, I think about the environment,” another attendee named Gabrielle adds. But she’s also not writing off AI as a technology altogether. “I’m not against AI in terms of medical breakthroughs.”

AI naysayers know that this technology is far broader than just chatbots and deepfake apps. Cyrus mentioned how useful optical character recognition is for scanning old documents at the library. But for her and the people who go to her workshops, the anti-AI movement isn’t about rejecting technology altogether so much as it is about advocating for more control, agency, and freedom in how people use technology.

“I think the forced adoption of AI on people’s devices might be the straw that’s breaking the camel’s back in some ways,” she said. “The awareness has been growing for a long time that these products and these companies that make them have an outsized influence over us, and that we’re not really using these products in the way that we would like to.”

The growing concern around AI technologies is not merely a local phenomenon; it reflects a broader global sentiment. As AI systems become increasingly integrated into everyday life, from smartphones to smart homes, many individuals feel a sense of loss regarding their autonomy and privacy. The rapid adoption of AI technologies has raised questions about consent, data ownership, and the implications of machine learning algorithms that can influence decisions in various sectors, including finance, healthcare, and education.

The workshops led by Bailey and Cyrus are part of a larger movement aimed at increasing digital literacy and empowering individuals to make informed choices about their technology usage. By focusing on the practical aspects of disabling AI features, they are not only addressing immediate concerns but also fostering a culture of critical engagement with technology. This is crucial in an age where technology is often marketed as a one-size-fits-all solution, without adequate consideration for individual preferences and needs.

Moreover, the workshops underscore the role of libraries as community hubs for education and support in navigating the complexities of modern technology. Librarians are increasingly stepping into the role of tech educators, helping patrons understand the tools they use and the implications of those tools on their lives. This shift highlights the evolving nature of libraries in the digital age, where they are not just repositories of books but also vital resources for digital literacy and technological empowerment.

As the conversation around AI continues to evolve, it is likely that more libraries will adopt similar initiatives. The demand for workshops like Avoiding AI indicates a growing recognition of the need for critical discourse surrounding technology. It is essential for communities to engage in discussions about the ethical implications of AI, the responsibilities of tech companies, and the rights of users. This dialogue is vital in shaping a future where technology serves the interests of individuals and communities rather than dictating how they should live and work.

The implications of this movement extend beyond individual workshops and local libraries. As more people become aware of their rights regarding technology use, there may be increased pressure on corporations to design AI products that prioritize user choice and consent. This could lead to a reevaluation of how AI is integrated into consumer products, potentially resulting in more transparent practices and greater respect for user autonomy.

In conclusion, the workshops hosted by Bailey and Cyrus represent a significant response to the growing concerns surrounding AI technologies. They highlight the importance of digital literacy, community engagement, and the need for individuals to reclaim agency over their technology usage. As society navigates the complexities of an increasingly AI-driven world, the conversations sparked by these workshops may play a crucial role in shaping a more equitable and user-centered technological landscape.