FAU Innovation Days: Digital Humanities Summer School 2025 keynote: AI and Heritage: Critical perspectives on AI for the Archives, Libraries and Museum sector

The keynote is part of the “Digital Humanities Summer School 2025: Data, gender and society”.

Title of Session: AI and Heritage: Critical perspectives on AI for the Archives, Libraries and Museum sector

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expanding beyond the realm of computer science, significantly impacting various industries and facets of society. AI and Machine Learning are revolutionizing the fields of computer science and engineering, making professionals in these areas highly sought after. The future of AI is dynamic, already profoundly influencing education, professions, and society. However, there is a growing awareness of the dangers of over-relying on AI for every challenge. In this context, I advocate for embracing AI with a societal and humanistic sensibility. My focus is on the Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ALM) sector. Traditionally, professional decisions in ALM have been made by educated humans using their best judgment. However, machines are becoming increasingly influential in performing these tasks. The quality of machine decision-making is closely tied to the quality of the data and the parameters selected for classification. Using cultural heritage collections as an example, I discuss how AI offers new opportunities for access and engagement but also risks perpetuating historical biases embedded in these collections. I emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among cultural heritage professionals, data scientists, and social scientists to identify and mitigate bias. We need to think together with machines to adopt a holistic approach to bias mitigation, integrating both technical and non-technical solutions to ensure that AI technologies contribute to a more inclusive society. I conclude with recommendations for future education, research, and practice, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and interdisciplinary collaboration to address the complexities of bias in AI applications within the cultural and creative industries, as well as in the training of professionals in the ALM sector.

Keynote speaker: Anna Foka, Department of ALM Uppsala University

More information and link to registration: https://www.dhss.phil.fau.de/digital-humanities-summer-school-2025-data-gender-and-society/#keynote