My Tech Takeaways from the AALL Conference

I recently attended the AALL Annual Meeting & Conference in Chicago for the first time. I earned my MLIS degree two years ago, and I was able to participate in the CONELL one-day conference, which took place before the main AALL event. Along with 95 other participants, I had the opportunity to network, share experiences, exchange contact information, and build lasting friendships.

Before the conference, I knew I had to bring either business cards or some way to share my contact information with the other attendees.I came across a cool piece of technology called DOT.band, which is a Digital Business Card. You can check out a picture of the version I own below. To share your contact information, all you have to do is hover your smartphone over the band, and a link to your digital business card will appear. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code on the back. Aside from the bracelet, DOT.band offers other options like metal cards and classic dots. Here are a few reasons why I highly recommend this product:

– With a promo code, it only cost me $30.
– I didn’t have to carry a box of printed business cards throughout the conference.
– If I need to update my information, I can do so instantly and safely, without having to reprint cards.

I attended the “Cool Tools Café: Existing and Emerging Technologies” session on the first day, where I got to learn and practice using different technologies for legal information professionals. During the session, I presented on Microsoft Lists, while others shared insights on tools such as Piktochart, Atlas.ti, LiquidText, Exploratory.io, Downpour, Research Rabbit, Slack, JotForm, and Sonar. I also took part in the session “Teaching Technology by Not Teaching Technology: Rethinking Essential Skills in Legal Tech Courses.” As a technology librarian for a law firm, this session offered me a new perspective on when, why, and how to incorporate technology into our work.

The next two days were packed with sessions covering topics such as Lex Machina, Diversity, and Hot Topics. A major focus was on Artificial Intelligence (AI), its future impact, and potential applications. Two talks particularly captured my attention. The first was “Hot Topic: Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Law Libraries,” which emphasized the importance of open communication with all colleagues, not just fellow librarians. A key takeaway was, “Although there are real challenges for law libraries and librarianship, the opportunities far exceed the challenges.” As information professionals, we have abundant resources available to us. AI will continue to transform our work environment, posing barriers to adoption, but developing a strategic plan is essential.

In the “Cognitive Colleagues: AI as an Essential Team Member for Tomorrow’s Workplace” session on the final day, there was a discussion about various AI tools, including goblin.tools and Talk with Pi. The speakers emphasized that these tools should be seen as complementary to human work processes rather than full replacements. Attendees had the chance to interact with the tools, share their own experiences, and participate in active discussions. This not only allowed for a more engaging session but also sparked new ideas and conversations among the audience. This was the only session that involved this type of interaction with the tools they were presenting on.

Throughout the conference, a major theme was the importance of asking multiple questions. This approach is valuable in various situations, such as conversations with colleagues or clients to ensure clarity, or when interacting with ChatGPT or other chatbots for the best outcomes. Another key takeaway was to embrace technological change by analyzing its impact and understanding how it can help us improve, whether professionally or in everyday tasks, such as finding a recipe with limited ingredients. The next AALL Conference will be in Portland, Oregon, and I hope to have the opportunity to attend to see what technology will be on everyone’s mind!

Victoria Swindle, MLIS, Library Technology Specialist at Steptoe & Johnson PLLC