Jessica Talisman

Jessica Talisman, a librarian and semantic systems expert, shares her journey from GLAM institutions to the corporate world. She explores the necessity of library skills in making sense of messy data and discusses the importance of intentional semantic structures for AI. Jessica explains the difference between taxonomies and ontologies, and the Ontology Pipeline methodology, emphasizing how this can streamline information systems. The conversation turns to her vision for AI ontologies and building a knowledge commons, highlighting the essential role of librarianship in a tech-driven world.

Jessica Talisman, founder of Contextually and creator of the Ontology Pipeline, dives into the intersection of knowledge management and AI. She discusses how controlled vocabularies and ontologies shape meaning for both humans and machines. Jessica highlights the risks of "AI slop" and the necessity for human-centered knowledge ecosystems. They explore cultural differences in knowledge representation and the significance of library science in today’s tech landscape. Talisman emphasizes the importance of quality data and collaborative approaches in developing effective knowledge architectures.