AI Basics Draws a Full House at the Downtown Library
Curiosity about artificial intelligence brought a steady crowd to the Downtown Library this spring, as the Adult Services team partnered with ESCOM (Emeritus Students of the College of Marin) to offer a free two-part workshop series introducing AI to beginners. Across the two Fridays, 116 people walked through the door: 57 for Part 1 on March 13 and 59 for Part 2 on April 3.
Together, the sessions covered what AI actually is, how to use it in daily life, and how to use it wisely: spotting confident-sounding misinformation, checking answers, and knowing what to share or hold back for privacy. Both sessions left real room for questions, and patrons took full advantage. Hands went up throughout, conversations spilled past the allotted time, and the questions made clear that people weren’t just curious in the abstract. They were trying to figure out how this technology fits into their actual lives.
The feedback was nearly unanimous, and patrons wanted to know when the next one is happening. Technology tends to arrive faster than the conversations we need to have about it, and the turnout makes it clear that folks are hungry for a place where they can ask honest questions without being sold anything or made to feel behind. That’s the work the library is built for.
Looking ahead, the library will continue offering opportunities to explore AI and other emerging technologies. Stay tuned for future programs and workshops as more details become available.