The ACM/IEEE Joint Digital Libraries Conference has now been scheduled for Hong Kong, China, December 16-20; there will be both in-person and remote participation. For more information, see

As we have for many years, CNI is delighted to be a cooperating organization for this important annual conference.

Clifford Lynch Director, CNI

The US National Science and Technology Council has just issued a report titled "US Federal Research and Development Infrastructure: A Foundation for the Nation's Global Scientific Leadership and Economic and National Security". This report focuses on facilities and research infrastructure managed by federal agencies, notably national and federal labs but also a variety of other facilities; many of these are in great need of maintenance and upgrades. See

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NSTC-Report-on-RDI-Global-Competition-and-Modernization.pdf

My thanks to the invaluable Gary Price for catching this report.

Clifford Lynch Director, CNI

I am delighted to announce the availability of a "final draft" version of the ARL/CNI Future Scenarios for AI and the Research Environment. These have been under development for about half a year and have already had some preliminary exposure in the ARL and CNI communities; it's now time for them to see wider circulation. We expect to release a final, "deluxe" version of these scenarios, possibly incorporating some limited revisions, and definitely including some supplementary materials around the end of May, 2024, and I'll announce the availability of this version here when it's ready.

I hope that you find these scenarios useful in thinking about and planning for possible future developments. Please keep in mind that these are NOT predictions about the future, but rather sketches of possible futures; the real future will undoubtedly draw from all of these scenarios, and also include many surprises that the scenarios don't consider.

I'd like to thank all of the members of the joint ARL/CNI Task Force for their contributions, along with all of those who provided important input through our various focus groups and other discussions, both virtually and in person.

For a little additional background and a link to the scenarios proper, see

The US National Academies has announced a series of free webinars in May 2024 looking at various aspects of Digital Twins, following up on a series of information-gathering workshops that they held in 2023 (I've shared information on these previously on CNI-announce, along with their report on Foundational Research Gaps and Future Directions in Digital Twins). For details on these webinars, registration links, and general background on the Digital Twins study, see

Foundational Research Gaps and Future Directions for Digital Twins

Digital twins promise to revolutionize decision-making across domains, from helping doctors develop personalized treatment plans to optimizing city-wide transportation systems. But there are still challenges to overcome before the full potential of these technologies can be realized. This project explores future directions for digital twin technologies—and how to support this emerging field. Read our recent report, register for upcoming events, and download new resources below. View the related ...

Clifford Lynch Director, CNI

A few days ago the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) issued an important report the President titled "Supercharging Research: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Meet Global Challenges" which looks broadly at ways in which AI and Machine Learning technologies will reshape research and development, including a number of case studies. One of the fascinating themes here is the ways in which human researchers and Ai based tools will work together. The report can be found at

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AI-Report_Upload_29APRIL2024_SEND-2.pdf

Also of interest here is the recording of an April 23, 2024 public meeting of PCAST to discuss this report and vote on its adoption. See

We are pleased to release the final collection of project briefing videos from the CNI Spring 2024 Membership Meeting , featuring the breakouts from day two of the meeting. All meeting materials, including selected presentation slides, project briefing videos, the lightning round video, and opening plenary video are now available.

3D Digital Herbarium & 3D Exhibits4Learning Cyril Oberlander, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt AJ Bealum, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt YouTube: https://youtu.be/5QJwIixjhaM Webpage: https://www.cni.org/topics/digital-curation/3d-digital-herbarium-3d-exhibits4learning

Academic Applications of Artificial Intelligence: Building Collaboration Among Libraries, IT, Faculty, and Students at San Diego State University Scott Walter, San Diego State University James Frazee, San Diego State University EJ Sobo, San Diego State University Abir Mohamed, San Diego State University YouTube: https://youtu.be/LdseUW7frJY Webpage: https://www.cni.org/topics/ci/academic-applications-of-artificial-intelligence-building-collaboration-among-libraries-it-faculty-and-students-at-san-diego-state-university

Cloud Labs and Self-Driving Laboratories Update and Futures Sayeed Choudhury, Carnegie Mellon University Keith Webster, Carnegie Mellon University Cliff Lynch, Coalition for Networked Information YouTube: https://youtu.be/S0Q5HHbh2sg Webpage: https://www.cni.org/topics/ci/cloud-labs-and-self-driving-laboratories-update-and-futures

We are pleased to release the next collection of project briefing videos from the CNI Spring 2024 Membership Meeting , featuring the breakouts from day one of the meeting:

The ARL/CNI Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Futures Scenarios for the Research Enterprise and Research Libraries Christy Long, University of Oregon Elisabeth Long, Johns Hopkins University Catherine Steeves, Western University Keith Webster, Carnegie Mellon University Clifford Lynch, Coalition for Networked Information Moderator: Judy Ruttenberg, Association of Research Libraries YouTube: https://youtu.be/V7stYh3GvcA Webpage: https://www.cni.org/pbs/the-arl-cni-task-force-on-ai-futures-scenarios-for-the-research-enterprise-and-research-libraries

Future-Proofing Research Data Repositories: Keeping Up With the Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence Revolution Stephanie Labou, University of California, San Diego YouTube: https://youtu.be/fPqzScvKT8U Webpage: https://www.cni.org/topics/digital-curation/future-proofing-research-data-repositories-keeping-up-with-the-machine-learning-artificial-intelligence-revolution

Information Infrastructure to Address Societal Grand Challenge Donald Waters, Coalition for Networked Information YouTube: https://youtu.be/rhN_Anw62wY Webpage: https://www.cni.org/topics/ci/information-infrastructure-to-address-societal-grand-challenges-2

The UK JISC has just issued a very interesting report commissioned by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) department; it looks at an apparently novel potential strategy for evolving a federated and coordinated UK-wide digital research infrastructure; somewhat similar to what we have seen in the US with the evolution of research cyberinfrastructure. There are interesting differences between this report and what's happening in the US; for example, there's much more emphasis on scaling up research data management in a systematic way, and less consideration of sharing of instrumentation. In the US there also seems to be more consideration of collaborations spanning government, academia and the private sector in some areas of cyberinfrastructure evolution such as the pilot for the US National AI Research Resource (NAIRR).

Link to the JISC report

https://repository.jisc.ac.uk/9516/1/federated-digital-research-infrastructure-full-report.pdf

Clifford Lynch Director, CNI

The Computing Community Consortium has recently released a report looking at the future research prospects for social technologies. The blog post announcement is here

and the report proper can be found here

https://cra.org/ccc/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/CCC-Future-of-Research-Workshop-Report-3.pdf

Registration is now open for the University of San Diego Library’s 2024 Digital Initiatives Symposium. A number of speakers will be well familiar to our community, including CNI Executive Director Clifford Lynch. See details below.

-Diane Goldenberg-Hart, CNI

— — —



I share below a call, on behalf of our colleagues at ARL, to express interest in participating in research focused on assessing the institutional costs of public access to research data. This work is based on research done during the first phase of the Realities of Academic Data Sharing (RADS) Initiative, reported on at CNI’s recent spring membership meeting (video is forthcoming).

For questions, please contact Shawna Taylor (staylor@arl.org), project manager for open science, Association of Research Libraries.

-Diane Goldenberg-Hart, CNI

— — — The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Data Curation Network (DCN) are seeking five US-based academic libraries to participate in a research project focused on understanding the institutional costs of public access to research data. The research project will run from approximately September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2026. This research is funded by the US Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Leadership Grant LG-254930-OLS-23.

The first pair of videos from the CNI Spring 2024 Membership Meeting is now available:

Opening Plenary: Computing Futures in a Changing World Dan Reed, University of Utah & National Science Board

Dan Reed shared his broad and deeply informed view of not just developments in computational science, but also their interplay with the practice and communication of science, the evolution of science policy, and how science policy fits into the broader national political and policy spheres.

At the recent CNI meeting in San Diego Dan Cohen of Northeastern University contributed a provocative and insightful comment at a session on Cloud Labs and the future role of Ai and self-driving labs in scientific discovery, asking if we may see senior scientists taking on roles akin to conceptual artists in an emerging world where graduate students and post-docs are increasingly scarce and expensive, and computer driven experimental apparatus becomes more commonplace.

In his wonderful occasional newsletter Humane Ingenuity highly recommended: (see the link for information on how to subscribe) Dan has recently fleshed out his thoughts on this topic. Important reading.

Is Science Becoming Conceptual Art?

A combination of new technologies may represent a new era for science, but one in which the lone scientist may no longer need her lab mates. Is that a good thing?

Clifford Lynch Director, CNI

Reminder that tomorrow, Friday, March 29, is the final day to submit a proposal for the next edition of the CNI Pre-Recorded Project Briefing Series .

Proposals may be submitted via online form: https://www.cni.org/resources/pbvs/submit-a-proposal

Anyone may propose a pre-recorded project briefing, including groups/individuals from non-member institutions and organizations.

Videos should focus on a timely topic or on a project related to digital information. We especially invite briefings on recently published reports, and updates on new or ongoing projects, programs, or organizations that may have reported at CNI in the past. We recommend that these videos run no more than 15-20 minutes, though longer presentations may occasionally make sense; we leave this to the presenters’ discretion.

On Thursday, March 21 the National Science Foundation (NSF) released a report prepared by the independent JASON group titled "Safeguarding the Research Enterprise" which takes a broad look at issues around research security (including, but going far beyond, topics like Controlled Unclassified Information, or CUI) and makes recommendations to NSF. This report is well worth reading for those interested in NSF evolving thinking about research security, and how that relates to broader government policies and the approaches of other agencies. .

NSF announcement of report (which also provides some context)

NSF announcement on JASON report: Safeguarding the Research Enterprise | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation

Today, the U.S. National Science Foundation released the latest report by JASON, an independent science advisory group, Safeguarding the Research Enterprise. Building on the Fundamental Research…

The report proper can be found at

A reminder that the deadline for nominations for the Paul Evan Peters Award is next FRIDAY, MARCH 29. The Award recognizes the most notable and lasting international achievements related to information technology and the creation and use of information resources and services that advance scholarship and intellectual productivity.

Send a brief (one page) letter of nomination, including a short bio or a link to biographical information to: PEP-Award@cni.org pep-award@cni.org

Previous award recipients include: • Paul Courant • Francine Berman • Herbert Van de Sompel • Donald A.B. Lindberg • Christine L. Borgman • Daniel E. Atkins • Paul Ginsparg • Brewster Kahle • Vinton Gray Cerf • Tim Berners-Lee

More information is at www.cni.org/go/pep-award/ .

The Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) invites applications for the 2024 Paul Evan Peters Scholarship https://www.cni.org/about-cni/awards/pep-scholarship

Applications due no later than APRIL 19, 2024

The Paul Evan Peters Scholarship (formerly fellowship) was established to honor and perpetuate the memory of CNI's founding executive director Paul Evan Peters (1947-1996). The scholarship is awarded every two years to students pursuing graduate studies in the information sciences, librarianship, or closely related field, that advance the frontiers of digital information and technology.

Highest consideration will be given to candidates whose application materials can directly address the following selection criteria, to demonstrate intellectual and personal qualities consistent with those of Paul Evan Peters: A commitment to the use of digital information and technology to enhance scholarship, intellectual productivity, and public life An interest in the civic responsibilities of information professionals, and a commitment to democratic values A positive and creative approach to overcoming personal, technological, and bureaucratic challenges Humor, vision, humanity, and imagination Two scholarships will be awarded in 2024: One to a doctoral student in the amount of $5,000 per year, awarded up to two consecutive years. One to a master’s student in the amount of $2,500 per year, awarded up to two consecutive years.

Meeting Roadmap A Guide to the Spring 2024 Coalition for Networked Information Membership Meeting

The Spring 2024 CNI Membership Meeting, to be held in San Diego, CA, on March 25-26, offers a wide range of presentations that advance and report on CNI's programs, showcase projects underway at member institutions, and highlight important national and international developments. Here is the "roadmap" to the meeting, which includes both plenary events and an extensive series of breakout sessions focusing on current issues in digital information and technologies.

It has been wonderful to see so many new faces (as well as familiar ones!) at our in-person meetings recently. On behalf of the entire organization, I extend a warm welcome to all those attending CNI for the first time, and I hope that long-time attendees will help to make them welcome. On Monday, March 25, the CNI meeting proper will be preceded by an optional, first-time-attendee introduction and information session at 11:15 am. Light refreshments will be available for all beginning at noon; the opening plenary is at 1:00 pm and will be followed by three rounds of parallel breakout sessions. The day’s presentations will end with a stand-alone, lightning round session, immediately preceding our signature evening reception which will run until 7:30 pm, where we encourage you to follow up with lightning round presenters and connect with old and new colleagues. After the reception, participants can enjoy a wide range of nearby dining options in San Diego.

Tuesday, March 26 begins with optional discussion tables on a defined topic over breakfast, most of which will be lightly facilitated; this program is still relatively new to CNI, first launched at last spring’s meeting, and we’re still experimenting. We welcome your feedback as we refine these. At this year's spring meeting, we're planning about ten of these tables on different topics in the main breakfast area, including four for discussions about the ARL/CNI Task Force on AI futures scenarios for the research enterprise and research libraries, facilitated by Task Force members. Rest assured, though, that there will still be ample space in the main breakfast area for those who prefer unstructured dining and social opportunities.

We are accepting proposals for the next edition (May 2024) of the CNI Pre-Recorded Project Briefing Series .

Proposals may be submitted via online form: https://www.cni.org/resources/pbvs/submit-a-proposal Submission Deadline: March 29, 2024 Anyone may propose a pre-recorded project briefing, including groups/individuals from non-member institutions and organizations.

Videos should focus on a timely topic or on a project related to digital information. We especially invite briefings on recently published reports, and updates on new or ongoing projects, programs, or organizations that may have reported at CNI in the past. We recommend that these videos run no more than 15-20 minutes, though longer presentations may occasionally make sense; we leave this to the presenters’ discretion.

Please contact me with any questions.

After a long period of quiet, the British Library has just issued a very thoughtful and helpful report on the extremely disruptive and damaging cyberattack that took place in October 2023 and that they are still recovering from. This deserves wide review by leadership of organizations concerned with both information delivery and stewardship of cultural and intellectual heritage.

There's a blog post that provides context at

Learning lessons from the cyber-attack

Today, we’ve published a paper about the cyber-attack that took place against the British Library last October.

and a longer report (about 18 pages) at