Public libraries are seeing strong demand for workshops that teach people how to avoid or disable consumer AI features. TechCrunch reports that librarians in Maine and Philadelphia have drawn unusually large audiences for “Avoiding AI” classes aimed at digital autonomy rather than blanket technology rejection.
The workshops explain how chatbots and AI features work, why someone might use them, and why others may prefer to opt out. Librarians then walk patrons through settings for common devices and services, including Apple Intelligence and Gemini. The appeal comes from a practical frustration: many people feel AI tools are being added to email, search, phones, and workplace software without meaningful consent.
At Bangor Public Library, Hannah Cyrus had to cap in-person registration and add a Zoom option after demand exceeded normal computer-class turnout. In South Philadelphia, librarian Charlie Bailey scheduled a second session after the first filled up and the library’s Instagram post spread widely. The trend shows that AI literacy now includes more than prompting skills. For many users, it also means knowing where automation is running and how to switch it off.