The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) seeks to understand and engage the research library community and others in the research and learning ecosystem on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of knowledge production, dissemination, and preservation. Furthermore, it seeks to inform the adoption of AI in research library operations, to help shape the research library workforce, and to advise and, as appropriate, help catalyze the services and programs that research libraries offer. With so much underway in the field of AI, there is a need for research libraries to act, starting with clarifying AI ethics policies, principles, and practices. This issue of "Research Library Issues" ("RLI") opens up a conversation that ARL will continue to focus on in partnerships, and in formal and informal forums, particularly in the context of advocacy and public policy, institutional policies, research and learning community practices, and leadership development. Articles include: (1) What Do Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Ethics of AI Mean in the Context of Research Libraries? (Mary Lee Kennedy); (2) Technology Innovation and AI Ethics (Sylvester A. Johnson); (3) Explainable Artificial Intelligence (Michael Ridley); and (4) Research Librarians as Guides and Navigators for AI Policies at Universities (Geneva Henry).