Online Workshop 6: New Horizons in AI and Machine Learning for Libraries and Archives.

This workshop will be held online and hosted by the University of Glasgow on 24 March 2023, 13:00 – 17:30 (UK time).

The workshop is FREE to attend, but registration is required. Please register through our EventBrite Page HERE.

Title: “New Horizons in AI and Machine Learning for Libraries and Archives.”

Libraries and archives are still exploring the boundaries of new technologies for their practice, with a significant gap in many cases between the cutting edge of AI and Machine Learning. The guest speakers for this workshop will explore several issues: potential future applications of AI and ML for cultural heritage collections; the impact of AI/ML on collections and researchers; and how institutions understand and normalise new technologies within their existing practices. The workshop will be forward-thinking in nature, seeking to understand the future of cultural heritage AI and ML by exploring how institutions are currently dealing with emerging trends and applications.

This is the sixth and final workshop of the AEOLIAN Network. Led by the University of Glasgow, it will look at new and emerging methods for applying AI and Machine Learning technologies to library and archival collections. Speakers will be asked to reflect not only on finished projects, but on exploratory work that seeks to develop innovative approaches to a range of resources including handwritten text, maps, and other sources. In addition, it will leave space for participants to reflect upon the outcomes of the AEOLIAN Network and consider next steps.

Draft Programme:

13:00 – 13:15 Welcome from the AEOLIAN Team

13:15 – 14:15 Introductory Keynote and Q&A – Dr. Katherine McDonough (Lancaster University/The Alan Turing Institute).

14:15 – 14:30 Break

14:30 – 15:30 National Library of Scotland Student Intern Showcase:

Chair: Chris Cassells (National Library of Scotland)

• Joseph Nockels (University of Edinburgh)
• Bo Han (Heriot Watt University)
• Lucy Dalgleish (Research Intern in AI)

15:30 – 15:45 Break

15:45 – 17:00 Panel Session – Cross-Sectoral Perspectives in AI Futures

• Prof. Sarah Cook (University of Glasgow) – Art and AI
• Prof. William Kilbride (Digital Preservation Coalition) – “After the Repository: Do we need a new Digital Preservation?”
• Peter Findlay (JISC) – “What Really Matters in the Time of AI Hype?”

17:00 – 17:30 AEOLIAN Team: Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Where permissions have been granted, the workshop will be recorded and recordings will be made available at a later date on our Blog page.

We hope to see you there!