Posted August 26, 2025 by Joanie Barnes
Beginning in September, the University Libraries’ Research Partnerships department will offer a new monthly discussion series on artificial intelligence. The AI & Society Conversation Series is intended to help people think about artificial intelligence beyond both the hype and the doom.
Other topics covered this semester are advanced review, geographic information systems, data management and more. Many of the sessions are on Zoom, and registration is required. All events can be found on the department’s event calendar.
The AI & Society Conversation Series will start with the nuts and bolts of AI and offer tools for thinking about AI, algorithms and other technologies. Participants may register for the conversation topics that interest them. Registrants will receive an accessible resource (reading, video or podcast) and reflection questions to prepare for the session. During each session, a brief introduction to the topic will be followed by facilitated discussion and opportunities for Q&A.
These workshops are also a part of the year-long celebration of University Libraries called Pages to Paths, an initiative to raise awareness, celebrate the Libraries’ history, accomplishments, people and services; and co-create the future with our communities.
Introduction to Advanced Review Methodologies
Sept. 4, 12-1 p.m., Zoom
ArcGIS Online: Maps for Everyone
Sept. 9, 10 a.m., LLS 224 (Witt Room)
Introducing SANDY, UNL’s Data Repository
Sept. 15, 12-1 p.m., Zoom
AI & Society Conversation Series: AI & Society: Nuts and Bolts
Sept. 19, 12-1 p.m., 224 LLS (Witt Room)
Introduction to Comprehensive Searching
Oct. 2, 12-1 p.m., Zoom
AI & Society Conversation Series: Data Privacy, Surveillance and AI
Oct. 17, 12-1 p.m. 224 LLS (Witt Room)
Essentials of Data Management for Graduate Students
Oct. 20, 12-1 p.m., Zoom
Prepare Your Data for Openness
Oct. 24, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Zoom
Prepare Now to Survive Your Personal Digital Dark Age
Nov. 6, 1-2:30 p.m., Zoom
AI & Society Conversation Series: Accountable Algorithms and AI
Nov. 14, 12-1 p.m., 224 LLS (Witt Room) Planning is underway for the third annual GIS Day Map Competition starting in October. This competition is open to all UNL students, who will use public data to design maps. The competition culminates in a half-day mini-conference with panelists and presenters. Notices will be published when the competition opens.
