Librarians Are Hosting Viral 'Avoiding AI' Workshops for People Who Are Fed Up With Big Tech

My take: The fact that "Avoiding AI" workshops are going viral at public libraries across the United States signals something concrete about the state of adoption: there are people who do not feel in control of the AI tools appearing in their lives without their consent. The first class of this kind at Bangor Public Library in Maine enrolled more than 70 people. By 2026, the movement has expanded to libraries across multiple states, where participants learn how to disable Apple Intelligence, Gemini, and other AI tools on their devices.

From my perspective, this is not a sign that AI is slowing down. It is a sign that AI digital literacy is arriving late. People who use AI tools without understanding them will not get much from them, and people who actively avoid them will not either. The point that matters most, and that is most lacking, is this: people who understand what AI is, choose whether they want to use it, and know how to use it thoughtfully.

If you lead a team or run a business, the question is not how many AI tool licenses you have purchased. The question is how many people on your team actually understand how to use them effectively.