AI-generated scams, podcasts and videos are getting harder to spot – and there are now more bots online than people. So where do communities turn for help?

In this Technologist Talk recorded at State Library Victoria, Ramsay Reid Fellow Ben Kolaitis shares early findings from his research into public libraries and AI. He explains how chatbots work, why the old scam-spotting tips no longer cut it, and why libraries may be the last in-person human layer of information support.

Ben is joined by Carmen Eastman, Manager, Library Sector Engagement, and audience members for a Q&A on staff training, conscientious objectors, digital inclusion and AI in library collections.

Hosted by Ana Tiquia, Head of Innovation and Research, State Library Victoria.

Read the transcript and notes at lab.slv.vic.gov.au

AI-generated scams, podcasts and videos are getting harder to spot &ndash; and there are now more bots online than people. So where do communities turn for help?
In this Technologist Talk recorded at State Library Victoria, Ramsay Reid Fellow Ben Kolaitis shares early findings from his research into public libraries and AI. He explains how chatbots work, why the old scam-spotting tips no longer cut it, and why libraries may be the last in-person human layer of information support.
Ben is joined by Carmen Eastman, Manager, Library Sector Engagement, and audience members for a Q&amp;A on staff training, conscientious objectors, digital inclusion and AI in library collections.
Hosted by Ana Tiquia, Head of Innovation and Research, State Library Victoria.
Read the transcript and notes at lab.slv.vic.gov.au

Explore emerging tech, digital experimentation and all things library-futures.

SLV LAB is State Library Victoria's prototyping and innovation lab. We experiment with technology to open access to collections, data and spaces. In our Conversations series, we discuss emerging technology, digital experimentation and library futures with artists, technologists and workers in the cultural sector.

Explore emerging tech, digital experimentation and all things library-futures.
SLV LAB is State Library Victoria's prototyping and innovation lab. We experiment with technology to open access to collections, data and spaces.&nbsp;In our Conversations series, we discuss emerging technology, digital experimentation and library futures with artists, technologists and workers in the cultural sector.

SLV LAB is State Library Victoria's prototyping and innovation lab. In our Conversations series, we discuss emerging technology, digital experimentation and library futures with artists, technologists and workers in the cultural sector.

SLV LAB Conversations

Explore emerging techonolgies, digital experimentation and library-futures.

SLV LAB is State Library Victoria's prototyping and innovation lab. We experiment with technology to open access to collections, data and spaces. In our Conversations series, we discuss emerging technology, digital experimentation and library futures with artists, technologists and workers in and around the cultural sector.

Produced by Dilan Gunawardana

Explore emerging techonolgies, digital experimentation and library-futures.
SLV LAB is State Library Victoria's prototyping and innovation lab. We experiment with technology to open access to collections, data and spaces.&nbsp;In our Conversations series, we discuss emerging technology, digital experimentation and library futures with artists, technologists and workers in and around the cultural sector.
Produced by Dilan Gunawardana

Libraries must prepare for the AI information avalanche – Benjamin Kolaitis

For much of her career, Angela Stengel has worked where technology meets creativity. During her 17 years at the ABC, including as Head of Digital Content and Innovation, she helped teams experiment with new platforms, formats and ways of connecting with audiences. Today, she advises organisations across media, arts, culture and government on AI, strategy and innovation.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Stengel reflects on the promises and pitfalls of emerging technology, from the early optimism of the web to the current wave of AI development. She discusses why innovation teams matter, how organisations can navigate uncertainty, and why storytelling remains one of the most important human skills regardless of how technology changes. The episode offers a practical and optimistic perspective on how cultural organisations can engage with AI while remaining grounded in their mission, values, and communities.

For much of her career, Angela Stengel has worked where technology meets creativity. During her 17 years at the ABC, including as Head of Digital Content and Innovation, she helped teams experiment with new platforms, formats and ways of connecting with audiences. Today, she advises organisations across media, arts, culture and government on AI, strategy and innovation.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Stengel reflects on the promises and pitfalls of emerging technology, from the early optimism of the web to the current wave of AI development. She discusses why innovation teams matter, how organisations can navigate uncertainty, and why storytelling remains one of the most important human skills regardless of how technology changes. The episode offers a practical and optimistic perspective on how cultural organisations can engage with AI while remaining grounded in their mission, values, and communities.

The creative case for engaging with AI – Angela Stengel

We spoke with 'the internet's sexual historian' about the surprisingly horny origins of our digital tools, as well as her upcoming communal performance lecture at State Library Victoria.

Our digital tools are steeped in pleasure. From mobile phones flooding our senses with stimuli to the yonic nature of the computer mouse (with its clitoral scrolling wheel), to the rise of 'Big Porn', the industry of arousal has played a key part in the development of tools and interfaces through which we access the internet.

Who better than "the internet's sexual historian" Mindy Seu to explain how this all came about and explore where it's going?

The LA-based artist, technologist and professor joined us ahead of her August performance lecture of The Sexual History of the Internetat State Library Victoria for Now or Never. In conversation with Ana Tiquia, Mindy discussed how internet history can be retold through human sexuality and the collective act of gathering histories and stories without resorting to extraction. Here, phones become performance tools, libraries are cathedrals of polyvocality, and the future of a liberated internet may depend on many small acts of change.

We spoke with 'the internet's sexual historian' about the surprisingly horny origins of our digital tools, as well as her upcoming communal performance lecture at State Library Victoria.
Our digital tools are steeped in pleasure. From mobile phones flooding our senses with stimuli to the yonic nature of the computer mouse (with its clitoral scrolling wheel), to the rise of 'Big Porn', the industry of arousal has played a key part in the development of tools and interfaces through which we access the internet.
Who better than "the internet's sexual historian" Mindy Seu to explain how this all came about and explore where it's going?
The LA-based artist, technologist and professor joined us ahead of her August performance lecture of The Sexual History of the Internet at State Library Victoria for Now or Never. In conversation with Ana Tiquia, Mindy discussed how internet history can be retold through human sexuality and the collective act of gathering histories and stories without resorting to extraction. Here, phones become performance tools, libraries are cathedrals of polyvocality, and the future of a liberated internet may depend on many small acts of change.

Our sexual desires built the internet – Mindy Seu

What happens when we slow down, make things ourselves and ask who our tools are really built to serve?

Nyungar artist and technologist Kathryn Gledhill-Tucker joined SLV LAB in June 2026 to discuss why the future of technology should not be treated as inevitable, particularly amid pressure to embed AI into every system and workflow. In conversation with Ana Tiquia, Kathryn reflects on leaving parts of the tech sector behind to focus on creative practice, speculative fiction, game making, First Peoples knowledges, repair culture and community-owned tools. The episode considers how cultural institutions might approach digital futures with greater care, agency and responsibility.

What happens when we slow down, make things ourselves and ask who our tools are really built to serve?
Nyungar artist and technologist Kathryn Gledhill-Tucker joined SLV LAB in June 2026 to discuss why the future of technology should not be treated as inevitable, particularly amid pressure to embed AI into every system and workflow. In conversation with Ana Tiquia, Kathryn reflects on leaving parts of the tech sector behind to focus on creative practice, speculative fiction, game making, First Peoples knowledges, repair culture and community-owned tools. The episode considers how cultural institutions might approach digital futures with greater care, agency and responsibility.

Libraries must prepare for the AI information avalanche – Benjamin Kolaitis

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