ARL & CNI Release Deluxe Edition of AI-Influenced Future Scenarios for Research Environment
From a Joint Announcement:
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) have published the Deluxe Edition of the ARL/CNI AI Scenarios: AI-Influenced Futures. This publication is a critical asset for research libraries and organizations aiming to strategically plan for the transformative power of artificial intelligence.
The scenarios were developed through a highly consultative process leveraging the expertise of the ARL/CNI Joint Task Force on Scenario Planning for AI/ML Futures and the ARL and CNI communities and facilitated by Stratus, Inc. The strategic focus and critical uncertainties highlighted in the scenarios were identified through extensive stakeholder engagement with the ARL and CNI membership during the winter of 2023–24 and spring of 2024 and involved over 300 people. Input was provided through focus groups, workshops, and one-on-one interviews.
This Deluxe Edition of the ARL/CNI AI Scenarios includes:
The Final Scenario Set (43 pages; PDF): This final scenario set explores potential futures where AI plays a pivotal role, providing critical insights into the evolving challenges and opportunities for the research environment.
The Strategic Context Report (33 pages; PDF): This report summarizes community feedback gathered through focus groups and interviews about an AI-influenced future for the research environment that were held in winter 2023–24 and spring 2024.
The Provocateur Interview Report (27 pages; PDF): Featuring forward-thinking dialogues with industry leaders, these interviews challenge conventional wisdom and stimulate stretch thinking with regards to an AI-influenced future.
Learn More, Read the Complete Announcement
Filed under: Academic Libraries, Associations and Organizations, Interviews, Libraries, News, Profiles

About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.