Librarians are hosting viral 'Avoiding AI' workshops for people who are fed up with Big Tech

In a world increasingly saturated with artificial intelligence, a surprising counter-movement is gaining significant traction in a familiar, trusted space: public libraries. Across the United States, "Avoiding AI" workshops are drawing unprecedented crowds, signaling a growing public appetite for digital autonomy and a pushback against the pervasive integration of AI by Big Tech companies.

These workshops, often led by resourceful librarians, are teaching individuals how to disable AI features that have been silently woven into their everyday devices, from smartphones and computers to web browsers. The demand for such sessions far exceeds typical digital literacy classes, demonstrating a widespread desire among the public to regain control over their technological choices.

The Rising Tide of AI Fatigue

The rapid rollout of AI capabilities by major tech players like Apple, Google, and Microsoft has often outpaced user consent, leading to a sense of frustration and a feeling of forced adoption. Many modern operating systems and applications now launch AI features by default, requiring users to navigate complex menus to opt out. This aggressive integration has left many feeling overwhelmed and anxious about the constant presence of AI in their personal and professional lives.

Concerns aren't limited to mere inconvenience. A significant portion of the public worries about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the ethical implications of AI. Surveys indicate that public sentiment toward AI in Western countries leans more negative than positive, with many expressing concern over its impacts. For instance, a 2023 survey found that 49% of respondents thought the risks of AI outweighed its benefits. Globally, confidence that AI companies protect personal data fell from 50% in 2023 to 47% in 2024, and fewer people believe AI systems are unbiased.

Users are questioning the necessity of features like automated email drafts, unwanted text summaries, and forced search functionalities. As Maine librarian Hannah Cyrus puts it, people are asking, "Why is this system trying to write an email for me?" or "Why is it summarizing a single-sentence message that I can read myself?" This weariness stems from both daily usability hurdles and broader societal impacts, including anxieties over the resource-intensive infrastructure needed to power generative AI systems, such as the energy and water demands of massive data centers.

Librarians: The New Guides in Digital Resistance

In this evolving landscape, public libraries and their librarians are stepping up as crucial guides. Traditionally centers for information literacy, libraries are extending their role to empower patrons with critical thinking skills regarding technology. This shift moves beyond teaching basic computer skills to helping people understand the underlying values and issues at play when using different pieces of technology.

Hannah Cyrus, a reference librarian at the Bangor Public Library in Maine, is credited with establishing one of the first organized "opt-out" workshops after noticing a surge in questions from patrons frustrated by unwanted AI features. Her "Avoiding AI" class, which explains generative AI, its concerns, and how to disable or find alternatives, saw over 70 people enroll in its initial run in the fall of 2025. The demand was so high that sessions had to be capped at 30 attendees, waitlists were created, and sessions were even streamed online to reach more participants.

Similarly, Charlie Bailey, a librarian in South Philadelphia, replicated this curriculum, and a single social media announcement for his session garnered over 2,000 likes, far exceeding typical engagement for his branch. These librarians see their work as a natural extension of their duty to help people navigate the digital world, focusing on user agency and providing choices rather than simply accepting default settings.

Steven Brown, Director of the Searsmont Town Library, also in Maine, helps patrons disable AI-powered assistants like Siri, smart features in email, and guides them to alternative search engines that offer more control over AI overviews. He emphasizes that people have choices and don't have to use their devices exactly as they came.

What "Avoiding AI" Workshops Cover

These hour-long workshops balance technical explanations of generative models with practical, step-by-step guides. Participants learn how to:

• Block AI chatbots on smartphones and computers.
• Stop automatic text generation features in email services like Gmail.
• Hide AI-generated summaries in search engines.
• Disable AI overview answers in Google Search.
• Uninstall AI assistants like Apple Intelligence and Google Gemini.
• Set up alternative, more privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo, Brave, or Qwant.
• Ban the use of personal data for training AI models (when options are available).

One widely shared tactic among participants involves appending the parameter “udm=14” to Google Search queries, an undocumented URL modifier that strips away AI-generated overviews and forces the engine to return standard web links. This demonstrates the community-driven aspect of these workshops, where users share workarounds to achieve cleaner browsing experiences.

It's important to note that the goal of these workshops is not to reject technology entirely. Libraries themselves utilize automated technologies, such as optical character recognition for scanning historical archives. Instead, the classes advocate for "device configuration as an essential aspect of modern user agency," emphasizing that users should have the choice about when, where, and if they use AI.

Broader Implications for the Tech Industry and Society

The surge in demand for "Avoiding AI" workshops represents a significant pushback against the "AI everywhere" policy of tech giants. It underscores a growing disconnect between the tech industry's rapid deployment of AI and public readiness or desire for these features. Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation have long highlighted concerns about default settings and invasive software designs that limit consumer choice.

This movement could have several implications:

• Increased Pressure for Opt-Out Options: As more users actively seek to disable AI features, tech companies might face pressure to make opt-out processes simpler and more transparent, potentially even offering AI-free versions of their products or services by default.
• Focus on AI Literacy and Ethics: The workshops highlight a critical need for broader AI literacy initiatives that empower individuals to understand, question, and make informed choices about AI. This includes understanding AI's limitations, recognizing misinformation, and evaluating potential biases.
• Reassertion of User Agency: The movement is a call for greater user autonomy in the digital realm. It challenges the notion that users must passively accept whatever technology is integrated into their devices.
• Libraries as a Trusted Resource: Libraries are cementing their role as trusted, neutral information professionals who can guide communities through complex technological changes, emphasizing values like privacy, critical evaluation, and informed choice. This contrasts with the perception of Big Tech companies, where skepticism about ethical conduct is growing.
• Potential Policy Influence: The widespread public concern could influence policymakers to enact stricter regulations regarding AI integration, data privacy, and mandatory disclosure of AI features. Some policymakers already support stricter data privacy rules and AI deployment regulations.

While some academic discussions about AI literacy in libraries focus on teaching ethical and informed use of AI tools, these "Avoiding AI" workshops lean into the aspect of "refusal as instruction," recognizing that patrons are often "tired of tools they did not ask for" and are ready to resist. As one librarian noted, "There's nothing neutral about AI, or Microsoft, or Facebook. These tools, systems, and platforms endanger our patrons and communities in ways that are both direct (subjecting them to surveillance and selling their personal information to data brokers and government agencies) and indirect (via the growing political influence wielded by their CEOs)."

The movement also intersects with broader concerns about the "war on libraries, education, and human knowledge," where the uncritical boosting of AI by tech and financial firms can exacerbate issues like educational censorship and the onslaught of "AI slop" in library catalogs.

The Human Element in a Digital Age

The success of "Avoiding AI" workshops underscores the enduring value of human connection and personalized guidance in an increasingly automated world. It highlights that technology, while powerful, should serve human needs and values, not dictate them. Librarians, with their emphasis on critical information literacy and community well-being, are uniquely positioned to foster this human-centric approach to technology.

This trend is not just about turning off features; it's about fostering a deeper understanding of technology, encouraging informed decision-making, and empowering individuals to shape their own digital experiences. It's a clear signal to the tech industry that while innovation is welcomed, user autonomy and choice must remain paramount.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are "Avoiding AI" workshops?

"Avoiding AI" workshops are educational sessions hosted by public libraries that teach individuals how to understand, disable, and opt out of unwanted artificial intelligence features automatically integrated into their devices and online services by Big Tech companies.

Why are these workshops so popular?

These workshops are popular because many people are frustrated with AI features being forced upon them by default, without their explicit consent. There's a growing desire to regain control over digital privacy, minimize algorithmic interference, and make informed choices about the technology they use daily.

What specific AI features do these workshops help people disable?

Workshops help patrons disable a range of AI features, including AI-powered assistants like Apple Intelligence and Google Gemini, automatic text generation in email services, AI-generated summaries in search results, and other intrusive smart features in various applications. They also provide alternatives for more privacy-focused browsing.

Are these workshops anti-technology?

No, these workshops are not anti-technology. They aim to promote user agency and critical digital literacy. The goal is to empower individuals to choose how and when they interact with AI, rather than passively accepting default settings, and to understand the implications of these technologies.