From pixels to Python: When digital collections befriend artificial intelligence

Rebecca Bakker and Molly Castro
Additional contact information
Rebecca Bakker: Digital Collections Center, USA
Molly Castro: Digital Collections Center, USA

Journal of Digital Media Management, 2023, vol. 12, issue 2, 157-166

Abstract: This paper explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital archive practices and its alignment with the methodologies employed in digital scholarship generally. The authors emphasise that AI is an extension of the ways existing technological tools and software are used to enhance workflows, manage data and promote overall accessibility. Various applications of AI in digital archiving are explored, including automated file management, voice-to-text transcription, optical character recognition (OCR), facial recognition in digitised photographs, social media engagement and metadata creation for digital records. While acknowledging concerns regarding ethics, accuracy and privacy, the authors argue that embracing aspects of AI can lead to more efficient and enjoyable practices in digital archiving. Drawing from the core principles of digital humanities, the authors underscore the importance of conscientiously engaging with technology, allowing for a profound respect for and responsible use of AI. The paper concludes by emphasising the importance of maintaining critical inquiry, curiosity and ethical considerations when assessing and integrating AI tools into archival workflows, thus ensuring trustworthy and accessible records for future digital scholarship. Looking ahead, the paper offers insights into the prospective advancements of AI in digital archiving, highlighting its transformative potential in shaping future digital scholarship.

Keywords: digital archiving; artificial intelligence; workflow optimisation; digital humanities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M11 M15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://hstalks.com/article/8232/download/ (application/pdf)
https://hstalks.com/article/8232/ (text/html)
Requires a paid subscription for full access.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aza:jdmm00:y:2023:v:12:i:2:p:157-166

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Journal of Digital Media Management from Henry Stewart Publications
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Henry Stewart Talks ().