Outtakes: AI, expertise, and book banning - On artificial intelligence, public knowledge, and who gets to decide what we read

This special outtake is taken from Michael Hanf's conversation with Maggie Tokuda-Hall, author of Love in the Library and co-founder of Authors Against Book Bans.After discussing her own experience with censorship and book bans, the conversation turned to artificial intelligence and its growing role in shaping access to information. Maggie argues that the issue is not simply the technology itself, but how AI can displace expertise, weaken public institutions such as libraries, and increasingly influence how information is selected, presented, and controlled.Drawing on her work as an author and activist, she explores the connection she sees between generative AI, anti-intellectualism, and the broader movement to restrict access to books and ideas. The conversation also touches on the role of public libraries, educators, and the importance of protecting independent sources of knowledge in an increasingly technology-driven world.Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, book bans, censorship, intellectual freedom, freedom to read, libraries, librarians, public libraries, education, expertise, anti-intellectualism, Authors Against Book Bans, Love in the Library, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Matters of Consequence podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.