Main tasks of the AI Office includes supporting the enforcement of the AI Act and general-purpose AI rules. The office will also collaborate with leading AI developers, the scientific community, and other experts to draft codes of practice and other documentation concerning labelling rules of AI-generated content and templates for data sources used for training AI models. The codes are expected to be developed within nine months after the AI Act takes effect, tentatively in spring 2025. Another focus will be technical standards on how rightsholders can opt out of data mining, specifically in cases where AI developers use their creative content.
The AI Office is staffed and chaired by Lucilla Sioli, former Director for AI and Digital Industry within the Directorate-General CNECT at the European Commission.
Another structure that is due to be launched in the AI Act is a scientific panel of experts, to be selected by the European Commission, that will provide independent and specialised knowledge.
Earlier this year, NEMO published recommendations for policy makers addressing AI and museums and urge that they will be considered as the European Parliament continues to develop and work on AI issues.
- A political vision for museums and cultural heritage in an AI-driven society
Recognising the unique position of museums and cultural heritage as pillars of trust within society, it is imperative to integrate them into a regulatory framework. Artificial intelligence in museums needs to be addressed and shaped so that technological developments do not simply reshape museums from the outside. Collaborative efforts between governments, regulatory bodies, and museum professionals can ensure that museums play a pivotal role in the development of ethical practices related to emerging technologies.
- Financial investments to apply AI successfully in the Public Cultural Domain
Financial resources must be allocated for infrastructure, equipment and highly qualified human resources, enhancing museums’ professional capacities.AI needs to source high-quality, interoperable data and properly described metadata. Copyright issues must be resolved. Museum professionals need adequate skills to perform these tasks, to keep pace with rapidly evolving AI capabilities and to address sector-specific concerns. Furthermore, standing commitments to support the cultural heritage sector should be expanded to ensure the quality and quantity of digitalisation required by Cultural Heritage Data Spaces and the European Collaborative Cultural Heritage Cloud.
- Establishment of a European AI innovation hub for cultural heritage
To foster creativity, innovation and collaboration, to centralise expertise and knowledge and to face challenges for the sector associated with AI, there is a need for a dedicated competency centre in Europe. This space would serve as a hub to bring together expertise and practices, knowledge and resources in a network of and for professionals, ensuring digital innovation and development across the diverse European Cultural heritage sector - in alignment with the values of human-centred design, privacy, and open-source practices.
