“Learning in the Flow”: AI Microskilling and Ethical Stewardship in GLAMs

Abstract

This article considers “flow theory” as both a basic scaffolding for AI literacy initiatives in Library and Information Science (LIS) education and a workplace strategy that can empower practitioners in galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM) to prioritize human-centered agency in the development of AI-enhanced stewardship practices. In contrast to one-off workshops or general AI classes, this article explores how “learning in the flow” promotes an approach to AI literacy that centers continuous, embedded microskilling with responsible stewardship practices. With practitioner-focused, values-aligned literacy frameworks, GLAM practitioners can navigate AI adoption against the backdrop of collection care practices, institutional values, and professional codes of ethics. This approach to AI literacy aligns digital transformation, ethical stewardship, and values-based, context-aware learning with those closest to the work of collections stewardship. Finally, this article explores how microskilling and an ethics of care can be integrated into hybrid skill development paths that reflect the complexity of the ever-evolving AI training needs of GLAM practitioners.