Unlocking our Digital Past with Artificial Intelligence (LUSTRE)
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: Communication and Media
Abstract
More and more government data are created in digital form. Emails have replaced letters, PDFs and Word documents have replaced paper memos, and audio/visual files are stored in governmental internal archives and in various systems. Yet just a small proportion of these data is transferred to The National Archives and other archival repositories for long-term preservation, access and use.
The LUSTRE project aims to unlock these data by connecting government professionals with Computer Scientists, Digital Humanists and archivists in cultural heritage organisations. It will focus on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to digital archival records in order to make them more accessible. Indeed, AI can be used for sensitivity review (i.e., to identify sensitive documents in a mass of data), making it possible to release records that are not confidential. AI can also be used to search vast amounts of data. But it is crucial to avoid biases in the selection and processing of data, which could discriminate against certain groups and even impact the collective memory. This requires policy makers to engage with algorithms rather than treating AI as a "black box."
The problem of inaccessible governmental records has become particularly acute following the digital revolution. Rigorous filing systems used to organise paper records. However, these systems are not well adapted to the digital age. In 2017, the report Better Information for Better Government (co-authored by the Cabinet Office and The National Archives) identified issues with the management of born-digital records within government - including poorly organised records, scattered across different systems and almost impossible to search effectively. This lack of organisation leads to difficulties in finding information and giving access to records that users need.
The scale of born-digital records also makes it extremely complicated to search for information, particularly when data are scattered on multiple devices and systems. These data could contain confidential and sensitive materials, including materials that could potentially be useful to terrorists and other adversaries. In order to limit risk, data is often locked away and inaccessible to users - including historians, social scientists, journalists and third sector professionals.
Archives are meant to be used, not locked away. Inaccessible government records lead to a lack of accountability in the short term, and risk impacting the cultural memory in the long term. How can we improve access to government archival records in digital form? The LUSTRE project aims to unlock these data by delivering the following outputs:
_4 lunchtime talks at the Cabinet Office;
_a total of 4 face-to-face workshops, including three workshops in London (Cabinet Office and Science Museum) and one workshop in Belfast (hosted by Public Records Office of Northern Ireland);
_online survey and 50 semi-structured interviews;
_open-access report and journal special issue, including one article co-authored by the PI and postdoc;
_cross-sector network on born-digital archives, connecting government professionals with academics and GLAM professionals.
A website, associated social media, and a dedicated LUSTRE list-serv will help us connect with interested parties - in government, academia, archival institutions and beyond.
The LUSTRE project aims to unlock these data by connecting government professionals with Computer Scientists, Digital Humanists and archivists in cultural heritage organisations. It will focus on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to digital archival records in order to make them more accessible. Indeed, AI can be used for sensitivity review (i.e., to identify sensitive documents in a mass of data), making it possible to release records that are not confidential. AI can also be used to search vast amounts of data. But it is crucial to avoid biases in the selection and processing of data, which could discriminate against certain groups and even impact the collective memory. This requires policy makers to engage with algorithms rather than treating AI as a "black box."
The problem of inaccessible governmental records has become particularly acute following the digital revolution. Rigorous filing systems used to organise paper records. However, these systems are not well adapted to the digital age. In 2017, the report Better Information for Better Government (co-authored by the Cabinet Office and The National Archives) identified issues with the management of born-digital records within government - including poorly organised records, scattered across different systems and almost impossible to search effectively. This lack of organisation leads to difficulties in finding information and giving access to records that users need.
The scale of born-digital records also makes it extremely complicated to search for information, particularly when data are scattered on multiple devices and systems. These data could contain confidential and sensitive materials, including materials that could potentially be useful to terrorists and other adversaries. In order to limit risk, data is often locked away and inaccessible to users - including historians, social scientists, journalists and third sector professionals.
Archives are meant to be used, not locked away. Inaccessible government records lead to a lack of accountability in the short term, and risk impacting the cultural memory in the long term. How can we improve access to government archival records in digital form? The LUSTRE project aims to unlock these data by delivering the following outputs:
_4 lunchtime talks at the Cabinet Office;
_a total of 4 face-to-face workshops, including three workshops in London (Cabinet Office and Science Museum) and one workshop in Belfast (hosted by Public Records Office of Northern Ireland);
_online survey and 50 semi-structured interviews;
_open-access report and journal special issue, including one article co-authored by the PI and postdoc;
_cross-sector network on born-digital archives, connecting government professionals with academics and GLAM professionals.
A website, associated social media, and a dedicated LUSTRE list-serv will help us connect with interested parties - in government, academia, archival institutions and beyond.
Organisations
- Loughborough University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Science Museum Group (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Archives and Records Association (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Cabinet Office (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- The National Archives (Collaboration)
- National Library of Norway (Collaboration)
- Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (Collaboration)
- SVGC Limited (Project Partner)
- National Archives (Project Partner)
- CILIP (Library and Info Professionals) (Project Partner)
Publications
Arias Hernández R
(2025)
Building trustworthy AI solutions: integrating artificial intelligence literacy into records management and archival systems
in AI & SOCIETY
Canning D
(2025)
AI to review government records: new work to unlock historically significant digital records
in AI & SOCIETY
Green P
(2025)
AI and the visualisation needs of researchers using email archives
in AI & SOCIETY
Jaillant L
(2024)
Are Users of Digital Archives Ready for the AI Era? Obstacles to the Application of Computational Research Methods and New Opportunities
in Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage
Jaillant L
(2025)
How can we improve the diversity of archival collections with AI? Opportunities, risks, and solutions
in AI & SOCIETY
Jansen G
(2025)
Developing computer vision and machine learning strategies to unlock government-created records
in AI & SOCIETY
Liu Y
(2025)
Machine learning methods for isolating indigenous language catalog descriptions
in AI & SOCIETY
McKean C
(2025)
Data analysis and network visualisation as tools for curating hybrid correspondence archives
in AI & SOCIETY
Reusens M
(2025)
Large Language Models to make museum archive collections more accessible
in AI & SOCIETY
Vetter M
(2025)
An endangered species: how LLMs threaten Wikipedia's sustainability
in AI & SOCIETY
| Description | The LUSTRE project team has collaborated with the Cabinet Office and other project partners to explore the application of Artificial Intelligence to government archives. We delivered 4 lunchtime talks (in December 2022; March, April and June 2023) and four workshop (in January, May, July 2023 and June 2024) in London and Belfast, as well as 50 interviews with policy makers, industry professionals and academics. A list-serv complements the events organised as part of the project, and offers a platform for the LUSTRE community to receive regular updates. A special issue was published in the world-leading journal AI & Society (2025), including one article co-authored by David Canning (Head of Digital Knowledge & Information Management, Cabinet Office) and the PI Lise Jaillant. |
| Exploitation Route | LUSTRE led to impact in three key ways. Firstly, through its events and final report, the project contributed to changes in the ways government departments prepare their digital records ahead of transfer to archival institutions. Secondly, LUSTRE led to changes in the professional practices of archivists who work with digital archives. Thirdly, the project unlocked digital archival materials, making them accessible to a wide range of general users and researchers across multiple academic disciplines. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Government Democracy and Justice Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
| URL | https://lustre-network.net/outputs/ |
| Description | The LUSTRE project has impacted on professionals in government, the GLAM sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) and academia. As part of the project, we organised 4 lunchtime talks and 4 one-day workshops, bringing together 800+ participants in total. The two first workshops were hybrid, organised at the Cabinet Office in London and online. The third workshop was organised by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) in Belfast. The fourth workshop was organised at the Science Museum in London. The workshops benefited attendees by putting them in touch with professionals with different experience and expertise on AI applied to digital government records. It also allowed the PI to widen her networks of contacts - leading the Home Office, the Department for Education, the Intellectual Property Office, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct to offer letters of support for further grant applications. We have asked participants, of whom over 75 percent on average are non-academics, to provide feedback on their experience. Many participants commented on the value of bringing together digital humanities, computer scientists, GLAM professionals and government professionals, to explore the application of AI to archives. Since its launch in 2022, the LUSTRE website has had 21,892 views from 10,627 users from the UK, US, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands, with the workshop recordings and slides being the most visited content. A special issue on "When Data Turns into Archives: Making Digital Records More Accessible with AI" was published in the journal AI & Society (2025), with contributions from government professionals, GLAM professionals and academics. Two articles in this special issue were co-authored by the PI, including "AI to review government records: new work to unlock historically significant digital records" (co-authored with David Canning, Head of Digital Knowledge & Information Management at the Cabinet Office). |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural Policy & public services |
| Description | Influence on professional practice of professionals in government and archives |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Impact | The project is contributing to improved access to public archives. |
| Description | FLAME (AI For Libraries, Archives and Museums) |
| Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Archives and Records Association |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2025 |
| End | 05/2025 |
| Description | GENIAC: GENerative AI for Archival images of the Colonial period |
| Amount | £9,800 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | PPHE25\100122 |
| Organisation | The British Academy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2025 |
| End | 03/2026 |
| Description | Collaboration with Dr Javier de la Rosa (The National Library of Norway) |
| Organisation | National Library of Norway |
| Country | Norway |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in Digital Humanities and project management |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in Natural Language Processing, Digital Humanities, Cultural Analytics, and Visual Culture Participation in project events (including talk given at LUSTRE Workshop 4) |
| Impact | Wrote a chapter for the open access edited collection (under contract with UCL Press, submission date: April 2024). |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Partnership with Archives and Records Association (ARA) |
| Organisation | Archives and Records Association |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in Digital Humanities and academic project management |
| Collaborator Contribution | Participation in project events |
| Impact | Participation in further grant applications and publications |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Partnership with Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) |
| Organisation | Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in Digital Humanities and academic project management |
| Collaborator Contribution | Participation in project events (including attendance of Rabeea Arif, Director of Research and Development, at LUSTRE Workshop 4) |
| Impact | Participation in further grant applications and publications |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Partnership with Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) |
| Organisation | Public Record Office of Northern Ireland |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in Digital Humanities and academic project management |
| Collaborator Contribution | Participation in project events; Organisation of LUSTRE Workshop 3 |
| Impact | Participation in further grant applications and publications |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Partnership with Science Museum Group |
| Organisation | Science Museum Group |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in Digital Humanities and academic project management |
| Collaborator Contribution | Participation in project events (including talk given by Tim Boon, Science Museum Group Head of Research & Public History, at LUSTRE Workshop 4);hosted LUSTRE Workshop 4 in London Science Museum |
| Impact | Participation in further grant applications and publications |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Partnership with The National Archives UK |
| Organisation | The National Archives |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in Digital Humanities and academic project management |
| Collaborator Contribution | Participation in project events (including talk given by John Sheridan, TNA's Digital Director, at LUSTRE Workshop 2). |
| Impact | Participation in further grant applications and publications |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Partnership with the Cabinet Office |
| Organisation | Cabinet Office |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise in Digital Humanities and academic project management |
| Collaborator Contribution | Participation in project events (For example, Dr James Lappin, David Canning and Dr Kelcey Swain attended and gave talks at Workshop 4 at the London Science Museum on June 27-28); hosted LUSTRE Workshop 1 and 2 in London |
| Impact | Participation in further grant applications and publications |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Blog Post by Cecilia Ghidotti (LUSTRE Research Associate) reflecting on LUSTRE Workshop 1 and 2 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In this blog post, Cecilia Ghidotti (LUSTRE Research Associate) reflected on LUSTRE Workshop 1 and 2, and the impact of these events outside academia. The blog post enabled further engagement with our key audiences outside academia (professionals in archives and government). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://lustre-network.net/2023/06/06/report-from-lustre-workshops-1-2/ |
| Description | Blog Post reflecting on LUSTRE Workshop 4 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | In this blog post reflected on LUSTRE Workshop 4, and the impact of these events outside academia. The blog post enabled further engagement with our key audiences outside academia (professionals in archives and government). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://lustre-network.net/lustre-workshop-4-report/ |
| Description | LUSTRE Workshop 1: "AI and Born-Digital Archives: Challenges and Opportunities," Cabinet Office, London, Jan. 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The workshop was a hybrid event held on 26 January 2023: in-person and hosted by the Cabinet Office at The White Chapel Building in London, and online via MS Teams. Choosing this format allowed us to reach a worldwide audience. Over 220 participants attended the one-day workshop, 187 of whom attended online and 30 in person. Most attendees were from the UK, but we also had participants from the US, Netherlands, Australia, New Zeland, Switzerland, Austria, Canada, Italy, Estonia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Russia, South Africa, India, China, Japan, Singapore, Philippines, Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago. The workshop, the first in the series, delved into the challenges and opportunities that Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers to the management and use of born-digital archives. The workshop which started at 10:30 and ended at 15:30 consisted of three talks followed by Q&A sessions and a roundtable discussion around the topic of AI Ethics for government archives. Speakers explored the topic from different angles in the three talks: "Finding light in dark archives: Using AI to connect context and content in email" by Prof. Stephanie Decker and Dr. Adam Nix from the University of Birmingham; Dr. Jenny Bunn from University College London and The National Archives presented "Putting principle into practice: Transparency, recordkeeping and AI"; and "Searching, fast and slow: rethinking the query builder paradigm" by Dr. Tony Russell-Rose from Goldsmiths University. ***AUDIENCE*** Among those who responded to our survey 33% are professionals in the government sector, 52% are professionals and civil servants in the GLAM sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums), and 19% are academics. Participants ranged from different levels of experience, and according to our survey responses 28% of them were early career professionals or academics. When asked if the workshop was useful, 66% of survey participants said it was very useful, 24% said it was useful, and 9% that it was extremely useful. ***ORGANISATION*** We received very positive feedback with regards to the organisation of the event, 57% survey participants thought it was very well organised and 38% well organised. Survey comments confirmed that the workshop and hybrid meeting experience was "excellent." A participant from Australia stated: "I attended online and found the online experience was excellent. Well done on managing a hybrid session so well. I am in Australia so didn't stay online for the whole workshop (too late in the evening) but listened to the first presentation and Q&A, which was very relevant to me. I look forward to reviewing the other presentations when they are available." Similar feedback was given other online attendees in locations such as the US: "I liked that there were three presentations only, with the roundtable (which I would have liked to sit in on as an online guest). This allowed speakers to fully address their topic and have plenty of time to answer questions. The longish breaks were great--they allowed me, watching from home in the US, to check work email or make a cup of tea--that way, there were no distractions as I sat down to enjoy the next presentation." ***CONTENT*** The large attendance and engaged discussions of this workshop revealed the relevance of the project and the need to address the implications of using AI technologies to unlock born-digital government records. Survey respondents highlighted that the workshop introduced "thought provoking," "fantastic" discussions relevant to their practice or research: "Very interesting presentations. I particularly liked the range of perspectives on offer, both from the speakers and the delegates;" "The work by Stephanie Decker and Adam Nix is very informative for my PhD thesis topic;" "Some of the insights and understandings I gained from the workshop will likely inform my decision-making about how and when we consider AI in to help manage our born-digital material." Presentation slides and recordings were uploaded on our website after the event to maximise impact. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://lustre-network.net/event/workshop1-ai-born-digital-archives/ |
| Description | LUSTRE Workshop 2: "AI and Born-Digital Archives in the Government Sector and Beyond," Cabinet Office, London, May 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This second workshop was a hybrid event held on 4 May 2023: in-person and hosted by the Cabinet Office at The White Chapel Building in London, and online via MS Teams. Choosing this format allowed us to reach a worldwide audience. Over 200 participants attended the 1-day workshop, 180 of whom attended online and 25 in person. Most attendees were from the UK, but we also had participants from Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and the USA. ***Speakers*** The second LUSTRE workshop continued the discussion on the challenges and opportunities that Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers to the management and use of digital born archives. The workshop which started at 10:30 and ended at 15:30 consisted of five talks followed by Q&A sessions. Five speakers explored the topic from different angles in the five talks. Dr Keegan McBride from the Oxford Internet Institute talked about "Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector: Separating Myth from Reality," James Lappin (Loughborough University) discussed "The Impact of AI on Records Management." Dr Lise Jaillant, PI of the LUSTRE project, presented a talk on "AI and Archives from a Researcher's Viewpoint." In the afternoon the Digital Director of The National Archives John Sheridan discussed the topic with a talk titled "Navigating the maelstrom (looking for lighthouses)," and finally Professor Jason R. Baron (University of Maryland, USA) presented a talk on the case of the US National Archives and Records Aministration and its implications: "Is NARA Ready Yet? The Newly Extended 2024 Start Date for Accessioning Records into the US National Archives Only in Electronic and Digital Formats, and What That Means." ***Attendance and feedback*** The hybrid format allowed active engagement from both online and in-person attendees. Networking opportunities were given to in-person attendees during different breaks during the day. Among those who responded to our survey, 66% were Professionals and Civil Servants in the GLAM sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums), 19% were professionals in the government sector, 19% were from the academic sector (with a 11% who identified as Early Career Academics). When asked how useful the LUSTRE workshop was, 77% said it was "Extremely useful" and "Very Useful," 19% chose "Useful." The event was evaluated as "Very well organised" and "Well organised" by all respondents (for a total of 100%). Survey comments confirmed that the workshop and hybrid meeting experience worked well. A participant stated that the option of joining remotely "made it possible for me to fit attendance at the talks around other work commitments." Others expressed their interest in taking part in future initiatives because they had a positive experience: "I found the hybrid event to work very well and would be interested in participating both online and in person again in the future." The large attendance and engaged discussions of this workshop revealed the relevance of the project and the need to address the implications of using AI technologies to unlock digital records. Survey respondents found the workshop timely and thought provoking: _"It was very illuminating in the sense of born-digital archives and the change to these from paper records, as well as about chat bots and the possible changes to how we work, in the sense of computer programs possibly replacing public servants roles in some instances in the future (scary!)." _"It dealt with 'hot' issues that concerns me and my professional community." They also appreciated the variety of the speakers, the level of their presentation and the engagement with the participants: _"The speakers were very engaging, leading to an interesting discussion amongst the participants and attendees." _"Relevant presentations of good quality, both content and presentation. Active participants with good reflections and questions." _"Relevant content. Concrete knowledge. Good presenters. Good activity in the audience." ***Impact on future work*** There was a consensus that the workshop will have a positive impact on participants' future work. Participants said their organisations are facing challenges related to the use of AI which benefit from the knowledge shared during the workshop and they plan to bring the discussion back to their organisations: _"The workshop content covered some current gov digital archives issues and possible approaches to solving them using AI. My current work is in the digital archives area and we are looking at similar issues. So the workshop will contribute to our internal discussions." _"Yes, compiling a report this year about how AI can be used in our work at the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Notes from this session will provide a great foundation for this." The workshop was useful not only for those who already work with AI but also for those are still exploring the use of AI: _"It challenged me to think about practical ways in which AI can be applied to the work of our team. I am currently working on a feasibility study exploring the use of AI in our organisation." Presentation slides and recordings were uploaded on the LUSTRE website after the event to maximise its impact outside academia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://lustre-network.net/event/workshop-2-4th-of-may/ |
| Description | LUSTRE Workshop 3: "AI, Archives and Public Sector Recordkeeping," Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI), Belfast, July 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | LUSTRE Workshop 3 was an in-person event at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) in Belfast on 6 July 2023. It continued the discussion on AI applied to born-digital archives and recordkeeping in the public sector. The format of the workshop enabled focused discussions with key stakeholders in the government and archives sector, many of them based in Northern Ireland - a part of the UK often neglected in research projects. ***Invited speakers*** (1) James Lappin (Loughborough University) discussed two alternative pathways for the application of AI for recordkeeping purposes in live systems; (2) Michaela Black (Ulster University) talked about responsible uses of Artificial Intelligence; (3) David Brown (Virtual Treasury of Ireland) presented the perspective of an historian on Artificial Intelligence; (4) Angela Campbell (PRONI) discussed how to use AI to improve Excel skills; (4) Alister Pearson (Information Commissioner's Office) discussed how to apply the data protection principles to the use of information in AI systems. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://lustre-network.net/event/lustre-workshop-3-ai-archives-and-public-sector-recordkeeping/ |
| Description | LUSTRE Workshop 4: "The Future of AI to Unlock Digital Records," Science Museum, London, June 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | ***Introduction*** The LUSTRE Workshop 4: The Future of AI to Unlock Digital Records was held on 27-28 June 2024, as an in-person event at the Science Museum, London. This format enabled direct interaction and networking among participants. The workshop attracted 37 attendees from around the world, including the UK, the USA, Hong Kong, Norway, and Colombia. The workshop spanned two days. Day 1 covered topics such as institutional challenges in AI and archives, ethics of AI, and practical applications of AI in the GLAM sector. Day 2 focused on future opportunities and practical implementations of AI in the GLAM sector. The sessions included presentations from distinguished speakers and panel discussions and breakout groups to foster interactive dialogue. ***Purpose and Outcomes*** The primary purpose of the workshop was to explore the integration of AI technologies in the management of digital archives and records. The outcomes included: _Knowledge Sharing: Providing a platform for participants to exchange insights and experiences related to AI and digital records. _Networking: Facilitating connections and collaborations among professionals from different sectors (including government and GLAMs). _Practical Applications: Showcasing real-world examples and case studies of AI applications in digital preservation. _Future Directions: Generating actionable insights and recommendations for future AI projects and research in digital records management. ***Speakers*** On Day 1, the workshop began with a welcome address by Dr Lise Jaillant from Loughborough University. The first session focused on institutional challenges in AI and archives, featuring featured three insightful presentations addressing institutional challenges in AI and archives. Dr James Lappin from the Central Digital Data Office explored the use of AI to manage records at scale, emphasising clustering algorithms to separate valuable business content from trivial information, thus significantly enhancing efficiency in data management. Callum McKean from the British Library then discussed AI applications for personal digital archives, providing specific examples of how AI can handle data protection issues and improve metadata creation for hybrid and born-digital collections. This approach addresses the complexities of managing large, varied collections. Dr Lise Jaillant concluded the session by presenting a user's perspective on accessing digital records. She highlighted the potential of AI to enhance metadata, thereby improving the discoverability and user experience of digital archives. Together, these talks underscored the practical benefits of AI in streamlining records management and making digital archives more accessible. The second session addressed AI ethics and archives. Prof Claire Warwick from Durham University drew parallels between the early hazards of cyberspace and current AI challenges, stressing the importance of ethical considerations in AI development and deployment. Following her talk, Dr David Brown from Trinity College Dublin explained the integration of tools like Transkribus and ChatGPT to streamline transcription and generate insights from archival documents, showcasing their application in historical research. Concluding this session, Rebekah Taylor and Angharad Turner from the Independent Office for Police Conduct addressed the critical question of integrating AI into records management, emphasising the need to clearly define the problems AI aims to solve and assess the associated risks. Day 2 began with a networking session, followed by the third session on AI and the GLAM sector. Nicole Coleman from Stanford University shared a case study on using AI to make law enforcement policy manuals more accessible, highlighting the difficulties and benefits of applying large language models to information retrieval. Dr Javier de la Rosa from the National Library of Norway followed with insights into their extensive digital collection and the innovative uses of AI in automating digitisation and improving access, including developing AI models for Norwegian languages. Prof Paul Gooding from the University of Glasgow concluded the session by discussing the iREAL project, which co-designs AI models with Indigenous communities to responsibly integrate Indigenous knowledge into library systems. These talks showcased the transformative potential of AI in enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of digital records in the GLAM sector. After a breakout group session , the fourth session addressed the future of AI and archives. Prof Richard Marciano from the University of Maryland explored the use of generative AI to facilitate the analysis and visualisation of archival collections, particularly in historical research related to the trading of enslaved people. David Canning and Kelcey Swain from the Cabinet Office then detailed their methodology for using AI to review and reduce vast amounts of digital records, highlighting the efficiency and accuracy gains achieved through AI. Dr Tim Boon from the Science Museum wrapped up the session with a presentation on the Congruence Engine project, which utilises digital tools to link disparate data sources, creating a richer and more connected understanding of historical collections. This session illustrated the innovative and forward-thinking applications of AI in archival research and management, underscoring the importance of continued exploration and collaboration in this field. ***Panel Discussions and Breakout Groups*** The workshop featured several panel discussions and breakout group sessions, fostering an environment for interactive dialogue among experts and participants. These sessions facilitated a deeper understanding of AI's potential and challenges in digital records management. As one participant noted, "I have made connections and learned about new approaches which will inform my future work in this area." Panel Discussions: The panel discussions addressed a variety of topics, including institutional challenges, ethical considerations, and practical applications of AI in the GLAM sector. Participants engaged in impactful conversations about the integration of AI into current workflows, the importance of ethical considerations, and the future of access to digital records. These discussions emphasised the necessity of building capacity and experimenting with AI technologies to harness their full potential. Breakout Groups: The breakout group sessions allowed participants to engage more actively and collaboratively explore specific questions and issues. Discussions focused on how AI could enhance access to digital records, overcome implementation challenges, and ensure ethical usage. Participants shared their experiences and insights, which facilitated the development of practical solutions and strategies for integrating AI into their professional practices. These sessions underscored the importance of transparency, ethical considerations, and ongoing collaboration in the successful implementation of AI technologies in digital records management. ***Attendance and feedback*** The in-person format of LUSTRE Workshop 4 allowed for active engagement and networking among attendees during various breaks throughout the two-day event. The primary audience of the workshop comprised a diverse group of professionals and academics. Specifically, 56% of the respondents were from the government sector, including 11% early-career professionals and 44% mid-career or senior professionals. The GLAM sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) was well-represented, with 44% of respondents, including 22% professionals and 22% civil servants. Additionally, 33% of the respondents were mid-career or senior academics. An additional 11% of the respondents were categorized as others, specified as researchers in the profession. All participants found the workshop useful, with 89% finding it "Extremely useful" or "Very useful," with just one participant considering it "Useful." These ratings reflect the participants' appreciation for the workshop's content and structure, which provided valuable insights and practical knowledge relevant to their fields. One participant noted, "I found the workshop to be varied and engaging with lots of expertise displayed from speakers. I also appreciated the format meaning that there was time for attendees to feedback on what was most impactful for them." Another participant highlighted, "Hearing about a wide selection of real-life use cases that were relevant to my own work." Participants also highly praised the organization of the workshop, with 78% describing it as "Very well organised" and 22% as "Well organised." The smooth execution and effective planning of the event were highlighted as key factors that contributed to the positive experience of the attendees. Participants commented on the well-structured format, noting, "I liked the panel discussions and the breakout discussion exercise on day two. I also liked that it was split over two days to allow us to feel really immersed in the topic." Additionally, the diversity of institutions and projects represented by the speakers was particularly appreciated: "Very interesting speakers from significant projects and institutions." ***Impact on future work*** The workshop had a notable impact on participants' future work, with many attendees planning to integrate the knowledge and connections gained into their professional activities. Participants expressed intentions to apply new approaches and principles discussed during the workshop to their work in AI and digital records management. One participant mentioned, "It improved my understanding of the work going on in the AI space and presented opportunities for my department in terms of how we think about its application to support our approach to digital appraisal and selection." The workshop had a significant impact on non-academic sectors, particularly within government and GLAM sectors. A government professional highlighted, "I will definitely aim to take forward the ideas and principles discussed when thinking about possible uses of AI for my work". Another participant from the GLAM sector noted, "I hope to try and push for more exploration of AI within my work place with the caveats and examples mentioned at the workshop." "Some of the ideas shared in the breakout session have inspired me to think about new approaches to training, risk assessments, and canvassing for support from senior colleagues when it comes to use of AI." The workshop's discussions on AI and digital records management fostered significant cross-sector dialogue and networking, prompting participants to consider broader applications of AI in their fields. A participant shared, "The variety of different insights shared was really interesting and helped bring useful perspectives to the work we are doing in our organization." Another professional remarked, "The ability to network and meet other Records Management professionals but also to understand the challenges and uses of AI for those in similar but different sectors (e.g., Culture and Heritage, Higher Education) was invaluable." ***Future workshops*** Participants expressed a keen interest in continuing the dialogue on AI and digital records management in future workshops, leading to recommendations for change in practice. There were several suggestions for topics that could be covered in upcoming events, including AI and archival arrangement, digital preservation, and the ethical use of AI in the archives sector. One participant recommended focusing on "AI and archival arrangement (with links to the ICA's (International Council on Archives) Records in Contexts model)," while another highlighted the importance of "digital preservation and changes in the understanding of 'collections as data' upon the recent and wide-scale use and implementation of GenAI applications." Additionally, there was a strong desire for practical case studies from GLAM institutions that have successfully implemented AI projects, providing advice on what worked well, challenges faced, partnerships, and required resources. Overall, the enthusiasm for future workshops reflects the ongoing need for shared learning and collaboration in the field of AI and digital records management. What do you consider was the most significant outcome/impact of this activity? The most significant outcome of the LUSTRE Workshop 4 was the practical application of AI principles and insights gained, which participants planned to integrate into their professional work. The workshop effectively strengthened networking among professionals and academics, fostering broader discussions about AI and digital records across various sectors. Key impacts include: _Enhanced Networking: The workshop brought together professionals from academia, government, and the GLAM sector, facilitating valuable connections and encouraging ongoing collaborations and partnerships. As one participant noted, "It was also a great opportunity to network and talk with other professionals in different organisations, sharing experiences and advice, and asking questions." Another added, "A chance to meet and talk to people across academia and the public sector about issues we have all been facing and new ideas." _Application to Practical Work: Participants gained actionable insights on how AI can enhance the management and preservation of digital records. This led to plans for integrating AI into their workflows. As one participant highlighted "I hope to try and push for more exploration of AI within my work place with the caveats and examples mentioned at the workshop." _New Perspectives and Ideas: Exposure to a variety of real-world AI applications and case studies provided fresh perspectives and inspired innovative approaches in participants' own work. _Inspiration for Future Initiatives: The workshop motivated participants to explore new AI initiatives within their organizations, inspired by discussions on practical applications of AI in archives and libraries. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://lustre-network.net/event/the-future-of-ai-to-unlock-digital-records/ |
| Description | Lunchtime Talk 1 by Giovanni Colavizza, Cabinet Office, London, Dec. 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Computer scientist Dr Giovanni Colavizza gave a presentation on "Towards AI-supported records management" at the Cabinet Office (December 2022), for an audience of professionals in government and the archives sector. After the talk, presentation slides were uploaded on the LUSTRE website to enable further impact. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://lustre-network.net/event/lunchtime-talk-1-with-giovanni-colavizza-towards-ai-supported-recor... |
| Description | Lunchtime Talk 2 by Mhairi Aitken, online, March 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Mhairi Aitken (Ethics Research Fellow in the Public Policy Programme at The Alan Turing Institute) gave the second LUSTRE lunchtime talk, which reached an audience of c. 100 professionals in government and in libraries/ archives. The title of her talk was "Establishing a Social Licence for AI: Addressing ethical considerations through trustworthy practice." A recording of the presentation was uploaded on our LUSTRE website to enable further impact. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://lustre-network.net/event/lunchtime-talk-2-8th-of-march-2023/ |
| Description | Lunchtime Talk 3 by Rob Bath, online, April 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Rob Bath (Digital Director at IRMS - Information and Records Management Society) gave the third LUSTRE online talk on 5 April 2023. The title of his talk was "AI for Information Governance in Microsoft365." The talk reached c. 120 people, mostly coming from the government and archives sectors. The recording of his talk was uploaded on our website to maximise impact. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://lustre-network.net/event/lunchtime-talk-3-with-robert-bath-on-ai-for-managing-records-in-mic... |
| Description | Lunchtime Talk 4 by Helen McCarthy, online, June 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Professor Helen McCarthy (University of Cambridge) gave the fourth LUSTRE online talk on "Exploring the Digital Record of Everyday Life in Covid-era Britain" in June 2023. The talk reached c. 80 professionals in the GLAM sector, government, and academia. The recording of the talk was then made available on the LUSTRE website. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://lustre-network.net/event/online-lunchtime-talk-4-with-helen-mccarthy-exploring-the-digital-r... |