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September 8^th is International Literacy Day. To mark the day, Westmeath Libraries is exhibiting ‘The Glass Room Misinformation Edition’ exhibition in Athlone, Castlepollard and Moate Libraries from the 8^th September until the end of the month.

We hear a lot about misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy theories these days. But what makes a piece of information reliable or unreliable? Is something “misinformation” if it simply presents an opinion we don’t agree with? And what role do new technologies and social media platforms play in how misinformation spreads and the impact it has on our culture, politics and society?

This exhibition explores what misinformation is, why it’s shared and how it spreads. Find out how we, the individual users, take part through our many clicks, likes and shares. Learn about the business models, design practices and habits that create an environment where misinformation can spread or go viral. And understand how misinformation becomes normalised, and how the decisions made by the gatekeepers of technologies can influence our behaviours and opinions.

The Glass Room Misinformation Edition is available to view during library opening hours at Athlone, Castlepollard and Moate libraries until the end of September 2025.

Part of Westmeath Libraries' Skills for Life programme of events.

The Misinformation Edition has been developed by Tactical Tech in collaboration with a number of European partners: IFLA, FERS, Save the Children Italia, Save the Children Romania, Malta Chamber of Scientists and Science Gallery Dublin, as well as being co-funded by the European Union.

Supercharged by AI
Synthetic and out of control

A new creative intervention about the effects of AI on our online lives.

From chatbots to deepfakes, AI-generated content is becoming increasingly common online. New AI tools make it easier, faster and cheaper to generate text, images, videos, and more. In turn, the harms that have always existed online – scams, harassment, polarisation and bias – are now being “supercharged” by AI. 

AI tools are being used to fabricate news, imitate reality, and shape public opinions and behaviours in ways that can be almost impossible to detect. AI models, trained on datasets that reflect their creators’ biases, reinforce stereotypes and lead to consequences that stretch beyond the digital sphere. How can we stay informed and aware about this rapidly-changing technology?

“Supercharged by AI” is a new creative intervention produced by Tactical Tech and DensityDesign Lab at Politecnico di Milano, in collaboration with the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

This exhibition will address how AI is impacting the ways that media and information is produced, distributed and perceived. It is presented by The Glass Room, an award-winning project by Tactical Tech that raises awareness through playful and provocative explorations of our relationship to technology.

"Supercharged by AI" runs from the 8th September until 30th September during library opening hours.