Data & Society Understanding AI: What the Public Needs to Know | 'Understanding AI' — NYPL x D&S Event Series [1]
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping many aspects of our daily lives: from the way people are hired for jobs, to how housing applications are reviewed, to how government services are delivered in healthcare, education, and beyond. But while organizations of all kinds have been introducing AI systems into their core functions, there is uncertainty about how they are working — including who is on the receiving end of their benefits and harms. What do we need to know about AI and automated decision-making tools today? How can we better understand the technology’s influence, and make informed decisions about where and how to use it?
About 'Understanding AI'
In the fall of 2025, The New York Public Library and Data & Society collaborated to present “Understanding AI,” a four-part live event series exploring the social implications of artificial intelligence and its impacts on democracy, the environment, and human labor. Featuring key figures in the AI ethics field, these events took place at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)in New York City as part of the library’s7 Stories Up program, and are now available for all to watch.