The Archivist of the United States, Dr. Colleen Shogan, recently unveiled a new Strategic Framework for the National Archives that will pave the way for the development of a comprehensive Strategic Plan. This framework is designed to steer the agency towards building digital capacity, enhancing scalability, and embracing technological innovation in a responsible manner.
Dr. Colleen Shogan emphasized the agency’s mission of preserving, protecting, and sharing the historical records of the United States to encourage public inquiry and bolster democratic participation. The outlined goals in the framework will serve as a roadmap for navigating the challenges posed by the rapidly evolving digital landscape and engaging all Americans in meaningful ways.
One of the key objectives highlighted in the framework is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into archival recordkeeping and information-sharing practices. By leveraging AI tools, the National Archives aims to make it easier for individuals to access and utilize the vast collection of records under its purview. The agency’s commitment to remaining nonpartisan ensures that records are not altered or interpreted, making technology tools like AI and machine learning invaluable in facilitating public access to historical information.
Early AI projects at the National Archives have demonstrated the technology’s capabilities in enhancing response times for records requests and improving the accessibility of information within the agency’s holdings. For instance, AI was instrumental in identifying names in the 1950 Census before its public release, thereby simplifying the search process for genealogists and enabling them to locate family members more efficiently.
Moreover, AI-driven Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has shown promise in streamlining routine operations at the National Archives, as evidenced by its successful application in managing records requests from veterans and their families. These initiatives underscore the pivotal role of AI in supporting the work of archivists and expediting public access to information.
The National Archives is exploring various AI applications to enhance the efficiency of operations, including Freedom of Information Act reviews, metadata capture in digitization processes, PII protection, and natural-language search queries in digitized records. A pilot project named ArchieAI is currently in development to test the capacity of AI in executing user-directed search queries, with plans for public testing and feedback in December 2024.
To ensure the responsible and effective use of AI, multidisciplinary teams of employees at the National Archives are collaborating to establish use cases, conduct testing, define parameters, and validate results. These efforts align with the broader U.S. federal framework for trustworthy AI use, as outlined in the Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of AI and the AI risk management framework from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
AI is also being piloted as an administrative tool to enhance operational efficiency for NARA employees, enabling them to leverage Google Gemini AI capabilities within existing Google applications. The Chief Information Officer of the National Archives, Sheena Burrell, underscored the transformative potential of AI in revolutionizing work processes, automating tasks, analyzing data, and improving responsiveness to customer needs.
In conclusion, the National Archives’ strategic focus on growth and innovation through the integration of AI underscores its commitment to expanding public access to historical records while upholding the principles of integrity, efficiency, and responsiveness. The ongoing exploration of AI applications holds promise for enhancing archival practices, streamlining operations, and leveraging technology to serve the evolving needs of a diverse audience.