The 88th Annual meeting of the Association for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T) took place this past month in Crystal City, Virginia. The theme was “Difficult Conversations: The Role of Information Science in the Age of Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence”. This was also a year filled with difficult but ultimately fruitful conversations, resulting in the merger of ASIS&T and the Special Libraries Association. While there have often been joint members of the two associations, there was this year a small but notable group of SLA folk (including this author, and past PAM award winner Jenny Hart) attending to further the future of the merged group. The “human-centered” element of the year’s theme was very much on display. While AI in general and LLMs in particular were threaded through many of the conversations, the panels, posters and paper sessions on offer displayed a broad range critical approaches to such issues. Memorable session topics included the future of the academic research project and how students use AI in their work and personal life. One very optimistic element was the amount of grad students and young professionals presenting, with the support of their senior faculty and mentors. There was also a sense of possibility in the informal discussions during coffee breaks and receptions, as leaders of ASIST Special Interest Groups (SIGs) discussed the new insight that the specialized and experience practitioners of SLA could bring to their year-round activities. PAM itself is still exploring the future formal possibilities that this merger offers. However, going to this conference suggests both opportunities to continue what PAM is strongest at, as well as seeds of new programming and experiences for the PAMILy.
Emma Moore & Jenny Hart
PAM Bulletin 