The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) have chosen to apply scenario planning to imagine a future influenced by artificial intelligence (AI) and to explore the range of uncertainty associated with AI in the research and knowledge ecosystem. The scenarios were developed through a highly consultative process leveraging the expertise of the ARL/CNI Joint Task Force on Scenario Planning for AI/ML Futures and the ARL and CNI communities and facilitated by Stratus, Inc. The strategic focus and critical uncertainties highlighted in the scenarios were identified through extensive stakeholder engagement with the ARL and CNI membership during the winter of 2023–24 and spring of 2024 and involved over 300 people. Input was provided through focus groups, workshops, and one-on-one interviews.
ARL and CNI have published the Deluxe Edition of the ARL/CNI AI Scenarios: AI-Influenced Futures. This publication is a critical asset for research libraries and organizations aiming to strategically plan for the transformative power of artificial intelligence.
This Deluxe Edition of the ARL/CNI AI Scenarios includes:
- The Final Scenario Set: This final scenario set explores potential futures where AI plays a pivotal role, providing critical insights into the evolving challenges and opportunities for the research environment.
- The Strategic Context Report: This report summarizes community feedback gathered through focus groups and interviews about an AI-influenced future for the research environment that were held in winter 2023–24 and spring 2024.
- The Provocateur Interview Report: Featuring forward-thinking dialogues with industry leaders, these interviews challenge conventional wisdom and stimulate stretch thinking with regards to an AI-influenced future.
This edition is designed to empower stakeholders across the research enterprise by providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to anticipate and shape the future direction of the research environment in the age of artificial intelligence.
To cite
ARL/CNI AI Scenarios: AI-Influenced Futures. Washington, DC, and West Chester, PA: Association of Research Libraries, Coalition for Networked Information, and Stratus Inc., June 2024. https://doi.org/10.29242/report.aiscenarios2024.
