An interesting phenomenon is developing in several public libraries in the United States, where workshops titled "Avoiding AI" are suddenly flooded with interest. In these classes, librarians guide adults who feel frustrated with technological automation to turn off artificial intelligence features, such as Apple Intelligence and Gemini, on their personal devices.
This initiative stems from public concern over the dominance of giant tech companies that forcibly embed AI into device operating systems without seeking user consent. Many users feel disrupted by the presence of features such as automatic email summaries and text writing suggestions. The main focus of this activity is not to reject technological progress absolutely, but rather to restore user control and autonomy over their own devices.
This trend of resistance brings an important message for the digital transformation process in Indonesia. Along with the increasingly massive integration of AI technology on local platforms—ranging from banking virtual assistants and e-commerce recommendations to social media algorithms—similar potential frustration could occur among domestic users if they are not provided with clear options to disable these features.
On the other hand, this phenomenon opens up a great opportunity for regional libraries, literacy communities, and training institutions in Indonesia to reformulate their digital education. Digital literacy is no longer just about teaching how to operate technology, but also about fostering critical awareness so that people can set boundaries on technology use for their comfort and privacy.
