The Europe Challenge

The Local Challenge 

In Georgia, society is increasingly exposed to AI-generated misinformation, deepfakes, and disinformation, challenges that traditional media literacy alone can no longer address. Without the skills to understand and apply artificial intelligence, libraries and the communities they serve risk falling behind, weakening both public trust and institutional relevance in a rapidly evolving digital world. There is an urgent need to equip librarians and patrons with AI literacy: the ability to grasp how AI works, recognise AI-generated content, and use these tools responsibly for research, communication, and problem-solving.

The Initiative

This initiative, led by the National Library of Georgia, introduces artificial intelligence as a practical tool for both everyday life and professional growth. Through free weekly online sessions and monthly in-person workshops, digital experts and library staff guide participants, librarians as well as the wider public, through core AI concepts. Training covers fact-checking and detecting synthetic content, alongside hands-on use of chatbots, text and image generators, and search tools for research, creativity, and problem-solving. By combining capacity-building for librarians with open access for citizens, the program positions libraries as trusted hubs of digital empowerment, critical thinking, and innovation in the AI age.

What’s Next?

The initiative aims to transform libraries in Georgia into trusted centers of innovation, where librarians and patrons learn together and adapt to new challenges. By improving confidence in using AI, the initiative strengthens public trust in libraries as reliable guides in an uncertain digital environment. Evaluation will track participation levels, skills gained, user feedback, and outreach impact, while the launch of Georgia’s first AI-powered library service will serve as a key milestone. Over time, the model will hopefully be extended from the National Library to regional libraries, ensuring broader access to AI literacy across the country.

Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.