Copyright and AI: Guidance on Responsible AI Use

As artificial intelligence tools increasingly shape how libraries serve their patrons and support academic missions, librarians must play a pivotal role in establishing ethically sound practices. This 90-minute webinar offers participants a structured, accessible approach to identifying and addressing the ethical concerns surrounding AI technologies in library environments. Participants will explore key issues such as copyright, data privacy, and authorship—grounding these topics within the frameworks of information literacy and professional responsibility.

The session begins by examining foundational concepts related to both the nature of AI and the purpose and design of copyright law and the Fair Use doctrine. Drawing on scholarly literature, institutional guides, and media resources—including work by Reed Hepler, Torrey Trust, and federal actors, attendees will engage in critical analysis and collaborative reflection. Participants will also explore open access tools and frameworks that support equitable, transparent AI adoption in educational and public-facing contexts.

By the end of the session, each attendee will have a thorough list of the main viewpoints and arguments related to copyright, stemming from the Zarya and Ellen Rae decisions, USCO reports, federal judge decisions and rulings, and other sources.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Identify and articulate key ethical concerns related to AI use in libraries and education.
• Analyze how AI tools intersect with academic integrity, data privacy, and misinformation.
• Evaluate and apply best practices for AI use.
• Describe the impact of USCO and court decisions on the public relationship between copyright and AI.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Demonstrate a foundational understanding of AI ethics in relation to information services.
• Critically assess AI tools in light of their facilitation of copyright infringement.
• Gain confidence in leading discussions and trainings on ethical AI use within their organization.

This 75-minute online hands-on workshop is part of our Library 2.0 "Ethics of AI" Series. The recording and presentation slides will be available to all who register. 

Presenter:

Reed Hepler is a digital initiatives librarian, instructional designer, copyright agent, artificial intelligence practitioner and consultant, and PhD student at Idaho State University. He earned a Master's Degree in Instructional Design and Educational Technology from Idaho State University in 2025. In 2022, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science, with emphases in Archives Management and Digital Curation from Indiana University. He has worked at nonprofits, corporations, and educational institutions encouraging information literacy and effective education. Combining all of these degrees and experiences, Reed strives to promote ethical librarianship and educational initiatives.

Currently, Reed works as a Digital Initiatives Librarian at a college in Idaho and also has his own consulting firm, heplerconsulting.com. His views and projects can be seen on his LinkedIn page or his blog, CollaborAItion, on Substack. Contact him at reed.hepler@gmail.com for more information.

CALL Training Partner: Library 2.0

Track: AI