EuropeanaTech 2023, the fourth edition of the Europeana Network Association’s conference on cultural heritage and technology, took place at The Hague, from 10 to 12 October 2023. The conference brought together developers, researchers, librarians, and students working in and around the sphere of digital cultural heritage.
The theme “Explore, Engage, Experience: Cultural Heritage in the Data Space and Beyond” set the stage for in-depth exploration of various crucial topics within the cultural heritage and technology sphere. These topics included digital collections infrastructure, linked open data, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, 3D technologies, heritage preservation, and multilinguality. The conference featured keynotes, workshops, talks, and panel discussions from leading experts in the field.
One of the key trends that emerged from EuropeanaTech 2023 was the growing importance of data in the cultural heritage sector. Speakers from across the program discussed how data can be used to improve the preservation, management, and access to cultural heritage resources. For example, data can be used to create digital collections, develop new tools and applications, and facilitate research and collaboration.
Another key trend was the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cultural heritage. AI is being used for a variety of tasks, such as image recognition, text analysis, and machine translation. Speakers at EuropeanaTech 2023 discussed the potential of AI to revolutionize the way we interact with cultural heritage but also highlighted the importance of using AI responsibly and ethically.
Finally, the conference also highlighted the importance of collaboration in the cultural heritage sector. Speakers from across the program discussed the need for cultural heritage institutions, tech companies, and researchers to work together to develop new tools and technologies and to share their knowledge and expertise.
Lostisland was represented at EuropeanaTech 2023 by Professor Aniebiet Inyang Ntui, the Honorary Consul to Nigeria.