AI Natives: How the First AI Generation is Using Today’s Tools

AI Natives: How the First AI Generation is Using Today’s Tools

A recent survey of over 1,000 students and 300 librarians found that over half of students use AI tools like ChatGPT in their research, but just 8% received librarian support (Librarian Futures Report Part IV, 2025).

Despite this, students still trust librarians, with over 50% reporting they would feel more confident using AI tools if their librarian recommended it. This reveals a clear opportunity for librarians to play a vital role in guiding the responsible use of AI and embed the library into emerging AI workflows to lead the frontier.

For this free webinar with Technology from Sage and OpenAthens, we will be joined by academic librarians, undergraduate students, and AI experts to explore students as digital natives and the ways in which librarians can be further viewed as indispensable guides on AI by students. The panel will also discuss how librarians can lead on AI policy and procurement to ensure equitable access and ultimately foster student success.

Register now. 

Can’t join us live? Register anyway, and we’ll send you the recording afterwards.

Speakers:

• Matthew Weldon, Library Patron Consultant, Technology from Sage
• Georgie Cadman, Account Manager, OpenAthens
• Additional speakers to be announced.

What we’ll cover:

• The key findings from the latest Librarian Futures report, Librarian Leadership on the AI Frontier. The report draws on global surveys of over 9000 students and 300 librarians, and uncovers a complex relationship between confidence, capability, and trust in the academic use of AI.
• Present day students as AI natives, how they’re using AI and the support they need from their academic library to use AI ethically and in deeper ways.
• Practical techniques for academic libraries to act as frontiers in the use of AI in Higher Education, guide students on responsible AI use and methods libraries can adopt to be sure their contributions are visible within their university communities.

Who should join?

This webinar is of interest to academic librarians who are shaping AI policy at their institutions or involved in guiding students on AI tools, and are looking to learn techniques for embedding the library in emerging AI workflows.