Libby’s library app adds an AI discovery feature, and not everyone is thrilled

Summary

Library e-book and audiobook app Libby is adding AI, much to the disappointment of some readers and librarians, who would prefer not to have AI inserted into their favorite apps. The new feature, “Inspire Me,” allows users to get book recommendations by using prompts or from their previously saved titles in Libby. To use the feature, readers tap on the “Inspire Me” options on Libby’s home page, where they can ask for fiction or nonfiction, then narrow down the suggestions by other factors, like age range, type of content, and more. For instance, you might tap on suggestions like “spine-tingling” or “amusing,” then on particular scenarios, such as “dark humor about modern family dysfunction” or “time travelers rescue dragons from medieval knights.” ScreenshotImage Credits:Overdrive/Libby The app will then display five relevant titles that match the requested inspiration. Overdrive, the company that makes the Libby app, says the feature relies on each library’s digital collection, so it will point to books the library offers. It also prioritizes titles that are immediately available to borrow. While a fairly basic use case for AI, some Libby users and librarians are pushing back at the addition via posts on social media sites, saying they’d prefer to get book recommendations without the use of AI technology. Others are worried about the potential privacy issues that come with some AI experiences. Overdrive, however, clarifies in a policy document about Libby’s use of AI that it avoids collecting “inessential personal information,” and when it does use your personal information, it’s not shared with third parties or artificial intelligence models. The company also says that users’ details and activity aren’t shared with the AI model. Plus, if you share one of your saved tags with the AI to get suggestions, it doesn’t receive any details about you, your device, or the name or description of your tag — it only gets the titles to use for recommendations. Techcrunch event ...