Secret Santa Goes AI. How the University Library Basel Involved its Staff into AI Training

As Artificial Intelligence transforms the library world, the University Library of Basel has chosen to anchor AI coordination in its governance and organization. This poster presentation explains the roles of the two AI coordinators which involve awareness and skill training for employees, setting up and managing specific information channels and dashboards, organizing the exchange with relevant university committees and commissions, and establishing an internal dialogue on AI issues. The coordinators are also involved in pursuing or supporting AI-related library projects and strategic considerations. But how to get started? Johan Huizinga’s concept of “Homo ludens” shows once again that learning by playing leads to success. The entertaining “Secret Santa” project kicked off the 2024 Christmas season at the University Library of Basel, reaching employees at all levels of the library, motivating and challenging them to improve their AI skills in a fun way. And that is exactly the goal of the AI coordination.