The Library of Congress recently signed on as a founding member of an international organization devoted to exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cultural heritage and research contexts “for the benefit of humankind.”
The Library has been working with the AI4LAM (AI for Libraries, Archives and Museums) organization since soon after its formation in 2018. AI4LAM now has over 40 institutional members from more than 10 countries, representing libraries, research institutions, and museums across the globe.
Library of Congress Chief Information Officer Judith Conklin signed an agreement formally constituting AI4LAM last winter, and now the Library is looking forward to its first co-hosted Fantastic Futures conference this September.
The growth of this organization from a small network eight years ago to its robust current form indicates the importance of LAM (library, archive, and museum) voices in AI discussions and implementation. As experts in data and technology transformation, practitioners in these organizations hope to ensure that AI adoption is purposeful and responsible.
AI4LAM is “an international, participatory community focused on advancing the use of artificial intelligence in, for and by libraries, archives and museums.” AI4LAM’s vision states that the organization “envisions a future where the collective strength of libraries, archives, and museums drives innovation in the cultural heritage sector through responsible, reliable, and trustworthy AI solutions, fostering cultural development and societal growth for a better tomorrow.”
The Library has taken on a leadership role since the organization’s 2018 launch by the National Library of Norway and Stanford University Libraries, serving as one of seven organizations in a secretariat formed in 2019. The Library, working with the Smithsonian Institution and the National Gallery of Art, also organized an AI4LAM D.C. Chapter in 2025.
AI4LAM aims to make responsible and effective use of AI by organizing collective efforts to develop and share new practices and standards and support sector-wide innovation. Working groups address key areas of practice on specific AI topics, and events include webinars and community calls for practitioners.
The institutions in AI4LAM grapple with major issues related to the cultural heritage sector in the age of AI, aiming to facilitate the adoption of AI tools while ensuring ethical, informed, transparent, and strategic use. The organization addresses challenges specific to library, archival, and museum institutions, like ensuring that ongoing access to knowledge is freely available and trustworthy.
The eighth meeting of the organization’s flagship annual conference, Fantastic Futures, is scheduled for September 15-17, 2026. The theme of the conference is Fantastic Futures 2026: Trust in the Loop, and the meeting will be co-hosted by the Library, the National Gallery of Art, and the Smithsonian Institution, with support from staff at these organizations and the AI4LAM D.C. Chapter.
Want to be in the loop? You can explore information about all previous Fantastic Futures conferences, including conference programs, repositories, and recordings.
Stay tuned for more information about this year’s Fantastic Futures conference, how you can access materials and information, and the Library’s continuing work with the AI4LAM organization!