Information School News

On 13th October, over a hundred and twenty information professionals gathered online for the formal launch of The impact of AI, machine learning, automation and robotics on the information professions: A report for CILIP https://www.cilip.org.uk/general/custom.asp?page=researchreport The report explores how the information professions can respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by such technologies as Artificial Intelligence. Speakers included Nick Poole (Chief Executive, CILIP), Sue Lacey Bryant ( National Lead NHS Knowledge and Library Services), Sir Alan Wilson (Turing Institute), Jo Cornish (Chief Development Officer, CILIP) and Andrew Cox, the author of the report. A recording of the event can be found at: https://vimeo.com/636947943

Senior Information School Lecturer Dr Andrew Cox has recently authored a CILIP-funded research report, which aims to help information professionals to understand how AI, machine learning, process automation and robotics are either already impacting the daily work of healthcare information professionals or likely to do so in the near future. The report, sponsored by Health Education England, can be found here .

Can robots help tackle loneliness? Dr Dave Cameron It was announced this week that Robots to be used in UK care homes to help reduce loneliness . Dr Dave Cameron gives his thoughts on robots tackling loneliness. Photo by  Alex Knight  from  Pexels What do you make of “companion robots”? Do you think they really could be the solution for curing loneliness in old age? Companion robots have a real potential as a research tool to better understand how people interact with each other and how social interactions progress. Their use in supporting people who are lonely is admirable but a lot of the ground work still needs to be done. I don’t think loneliness in old age could be solved just by using companionship robots. Companion robots may help though: they can provide entertainment, comfort, or distraction from loneliness, similar to other media, but not tackle the issue itself. They can offer a simulation of a relationship but that experience may be closer to the social connec...