After participating in the experts roundtable discussion on Generative AI and Audiovisual Archives last April, ORF’s Chief Innovation Officer Stefan Kollinger has shared with us some thoughts on the future of archives with Generative AI.

This blogpost, curated for the #AiPicks section of the Value, Use, and Copyright Commission publications, explores how generative AI is redefining the purpose and potential of multimedia archives. Once seen merely as repositories for historical materials, archives are now becoming engines for innovation, personalization, and creative discovery. The article highlights how the integration of AI transforms archives into dynamic knowledge infrastructures—powered by rich metadata and context—while emphasizing the crucial role of archivists in maintaining trust, provenance, and ethical governance.