Hello everyone, The second AI Cohort WILL take place as scheduled, and applications are currently open. Public Library Artificial Intelligence (AI) Capacity Building Cohort #2<https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/libraries/ce/financialmanagementcohort/public-library-artificial-intelligence-ai-capacity-building-cohort> Library of Michigan is working with The Galecia Group to provide another interactive capacity building series on AI for up to 24 public library staff members. Recommended participants are library staff who are interested in gaining hands-on experience in AI technologies in topics of particular interest to public libraries. Each session will include 60-90 minutes of instruction and at least 60 minutes of hands-on work using Galecia's PLAID (Public Library AI Demonstration) training platform. The AI Capacity Building Cohort Series includes five live, interactive, online sessions: * Bot-Builder Workshop: Participants will follow along as the instructor builds a simple, functional AI agent ("bot") during the webinar. Participants can optionally follow along to build their own simple bot. * Introduction to HuggingFace: HuggingFace is a global online repository of open source and open-model/-weights AI tools that can be customized, downloaded, and mixed. Participants will try some basic HF tools and learn how this platform can be used for AI tasks and training. * AI-Driven Community Engagement: Participants will use AI to plan a needs assessment survey, analyze patron and community feedback, and implement community-driven action items. * AI in the Archives: Participants will build an AI-based computer vision tool to analyze and catalog historical documents, photographs, and artifacts. * AI Hackathon: Focusing on participant projects. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF PARTICIPANTS To take part in the cohort, applicants must complete a prerequisite of the AI Video Training Series<https://my.nicheacademy.com/staffskills/pathway/80254> developed by the Galecia Group, which is available now in the LM Niche Academy, prior to the start of the Cohort sessions. Participants must commit to attending all five live, interactive sessions. In return, LM will cover the cost of program participation. To participate successfully in the live, online, interactive sessions, you will need internet access, a desktop or laptop computer with video and audio capabilities, and uninterrupted time. SCHEDULE: The cohort schedule is from May 2025 through July 2025 Session 1: May 22 10a.m. to 12 p.m. Session 2: June 5 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Session 3: June 18 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Session 4: July 10 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Session 5: July 24 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. APPLY FOR THE COHORT * Application<https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8251519/Public-Library-AI-Capacity-Building-Cohort-II-Application> - Deadline to apply is April 30, 2025 * Agreement Form<https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/-/media/Project/Websites/libraryofmichigan/For-Libraries/Continuing-Education/Public-Library-AI-Capacity-Building-Cohort-Agreement-Form.pdf?rev=5376953d140044efb6a8297938277253&hash=D3D28F28EB41E21AE8870BB8C69E73C9> - Download, complete and upload in application as a pdf. Please contact Michelle Bradley BradleyM13@michigan.gov<mailto:BradleyM13@michigan.gov> or 517-335-1507 with any questions. Michelle Bradley Library Development Manager Library of Michigan 517-335-1507 Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan<https://www.michigan.gov/mde/resources/michigan-top-10-strategic-education-plan> provides focused direction to drive educational achievement in support of all learners. [Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan] [Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated]<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/> Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>.