Librarians are taking a stand against the relentless integration of artificial intelligence into everyday life by hosting workshops that teach people how to disable AI features on their devices. The sessions, which have gone viral, are part of a growing movement to help individuals reclaim control over their digital experiences.
Inside the ‘Avoiding AI’ Workshop
Charlie Bailey, a librarian in South Philadelphia, kicks off his hour-long workshop with a lighthearted request: “Everybody’s on their phone at my program!” he jokes, leading attendees through the steps to disable Apple Intelligence and Google Gemini on their devices.
The setting is a children’s library classroom, complete with a vibrant rug reminding visitors that “M is for moon” and “Z is for zebra.” But the 20 adult participants aren’t here to learn the alphabet—they’ve come for a session called “Avoiding AI.”
“I was inspired by the frustration people feel with AI tools being forced onto them,” Bailey says. “It suddenly feels like these tools we never asked for are everywhere in our lives.”
Step-by-Step Guidance for Opting Out
Bailey begins with an overview of how AI chatbots and consumer AI tools work, explaining both the potential benefits and the reasons one might choose to abstain. Then, he projects step-by-step instructions to guide participants through disabling specific features on popular tech platforms and devices.
“As a librarian, I see this as advancing digital literacy and helping people reclaim autonomy over whether they want to use AI,” Bailey explains. “It’s crucial, especially when opting out is so difficult and the design itself pushes adoption.”
A Viral Movement Emerges
The concept originated with Hannah Cyrus, a librarian in Maine, who published a journal article about developing her own version of the workshop. Bailey was one of dozens of librarians worldwide to reach out to her afterward.
“This has never happened before with anything I’ve worked on,” Cyrus says. “Nobody has ever emailed me asking, ‘Can I have your Intro to Computers slides?’”
With Big Tech’s AI features becoming increasingly embedded in smartphones, laptops, and smart home devices, these workshops address a growing demand for practical, non-technical guidance on how to push back. As 2026 progresses, more libraries are expected to adopt similar programs, responding to a public eager to regain control over their digital lives.
via TechCrunch AI