The rise of ‘Avoiding AI’ workshops suggests that digital literacy is no longer just about learning new technology—it is increasingly about understanding when and how to choose whether to use it. (Source: Image by RR)

Viral Workshops Help Consumers Disable AI Features Across Popular Devices

Public libraries are emerging as unexpected leaders in digital literacy by hosting workshops that teach people how to disable AI features on their phones, computers, and online services. Librarians like Charlie Bailey in Philadelphia and Hannah Cyrus in Maine created “Avoiding AI” workshops after seeing a growing number of patrons asking how to turn off tools like Apple Intelligence and Google’s Gemini. Rather than promoting or condemning artificial intelligence, the sessions focus on explaining how these systems work and giving people practical steps to decide for themselves whether to use them.

The workshops, as noted in techcrunch.com, have drawn far more interest than traditional technology classes. Registration quickly filled, waitlists formed, and social media posts promoting the events generated unusually high engagement. Participants cited a variety of motivations, including privacy concerns, environmental impacts associated with AI infrastructure, and frustration with having AI features automatically integrated into products they already own. Others emphasized that their concerns were not about rejecting technology altogether, but about preserving personal choice.

For librarians, the programs represent a natural extension of their long-standing role as educators and trusted guides in navigating new forms of information. Rather than advocating for or against AI, they frame the workshops as exercises in digital literacy, helping community members understand both the benefits and limitations of emerging technologies while demonstrating how to manage the settings that increasingly shape everyday digital experiences.

More broadly, the popularity of these workshops highlights an evolving phase of AI adoption. While much of the technology industry is focused on expanding AI capabilities, many consumers are asking a different question: not what AI can do, but whether they should be required to use it. As AI becomes more deeply embedded across operating systems, search engines, and communication tools, user control and informed consent are becoming central topics in the broader conversation about artificial intelligence.

read more at techcrunch.com