Category Archives: Technology

Photograph of one of the new iMacs in the Sainsbury Library.

New Apple iMacs in the library

We’re thrilled to announce that we have brand new iMacs in the Sainsbury Library! These new, high-performance iMacs have replaced older, slower computers, bringing you faster processing, stunning visuals, and an enhanced experience for all your study and research needs.

Why you’ll love the new iMacs

Lightning-fast performance:
The Apple Silicon chip in each of the iMacs brings serious speed and power to your fingertips. These iMacs are ideal for complex data science projects, data processing, and other demanding software you may need for coursework or research.

Beautiful displays for visual work:
The new iMacs feature high-resolution Retina displays, perfect for working on visual projects, such as presentations, graphic design, or video editing.

Customisable with Apps via Orchard Software Centre:
Need specific software for a project? The iMacs allow you to install apps directly from the Orchard Software Centre, giving you the flexibility to tailor your workstation to your needs. Whether it’s data analysis tools, productivity apps, or creative software, you’ll have the resources you need right at your fingertips.

Perfect for Every Task
Whether you’re crunching numbers in a financial model, conducting complex data tasks, or simply organizing your assignments, these iMacs are equipped to handle it all. And with improved processing speeds, you can get through tasks faster and make the most of your time in the library.

So come try out the new iMacs today and take your studies to the next level. We can’t wait to see what you’ll create!

An optimistic image of a blue butterfly flying in pleasant landscape with blue skies. Far away in the background there is a landscape with dark skies and fires. AI generated.

We’re now on Bluesky

We’ve decided to step away from X and focus our efforts on Bluesky and other platforms where we can better engage with our readers. We will not be posting on X for the foreseeable future. You’ll still find us sharing the latest resources, news, and insights across our other channels, including here on the blog.

Thank you for your support, and see you on Bluesky!A screenshot of our first post on Bluesky.

 

Photograph of the AI book display in the Sainsbury Library.

Welcome to the World of AI

Step into the Sainsbury Library and explore the fascinating, fun, but sometimes frightening, world of Artificial Intelligence with our book display in the lower reading room. AI is ubiquitous in many people’s daily lives and is impacting and raising questions in all areas of businesses. With AI ‘creating’ art, films, music and novels; aiding doctors, researchers and patients in the life-saving work of medicine; and assisting both defensive and offensive forces in wars. For some, the rapid growth and innovation of AI represents a golden opportunity for business, humans, and the future of our world. However, for others, AI spells impending doom, with visions of mass unemployment and even the end of the world. For both, AI is a tool that makes the imagined events of Sci-fi-the good, the bad, and the fun-a reality.

The Sainsbury Library’s display, ‘Welcome to the World of AI’, has books ranging from the threats and opportunities of AI in business and economics, the history of AI, the ethics of AI, and even chess and AI. We hope you will find something of interest to you, whether you are a doomsayer, optimist, or have no idea what AI is all about!

Please note all books are available on-line, unless otherwise specified. Please click on the links provided or even better come and browse the colourful display in-person and scan our QR codes!

General and Philosophy

Business

Further resources

For more resources see our Business of AI LibGuide.

The O’Reilly learning platform and Gartner research library both provide free access to expert-created and curated information covering all the areas that will shape our future – including artificial intelligence.

Online Learning with O’Reilly

Gartner Campus Access

Garner website being accessed on an iPad. Image by rawpixel.com.

Gartner Campus Access

The University now provides full access to the Gartner research library (log in with your Oxford SSO).

Gartner is the global leader in providing accurate and current research for the IT industry and its research library helps translate complex IT issues into comprehensive advice and meaningful analysis. The Gartner research library provides access to current research, analytics and insights that are accurate, impartial, and consistent. The benefits of Gartner include the combined expertise of 2,300 research analysts and consultants who advise executives in 130 countries every day. They publish tens of thousands of pages of original research annually and answer 340,000 client questions every year.

See the LibGuide for more information.

Online Learning with O’Reilly

Free access to expert-created and curated information covering all the areas that will shape our future – including artificial intelligence, operations, data, UX design, finance, leadership, and more.

The O’Reilly online learning platform (formerly known as Safari Books Online) includes an on-demand digital library providing books, videos, interactive tutorials, and live online classes, including titles from O’Reilly, Packt, No Starch Press, Wiley, Princeton University Press, and others.

This resource requires you to log in with your Oxford SSO again at the O’Reilly homepage.