Brewster Kahle on the Future of Internet Archive Europe – Highlights from the 14 March Borrel
On 14 March 2025, Internet Archive Europe hosted an informal borrel in Amsterdam thanks to the hospitality of the Eye Film Museum. This event featured a presentation by Brewster Kahle, the renowned digital librarian and founder of the Internet Archive, followed by an animated and constructive exchange. The event brought together experts, activists, and cultural heritage professionals to discuss the evolving role of open access, digital preservation, and artificial intelligence (AI) in archiving and more generally in the preservation and enhancement of our collective intelligence.
A Vision for Collective Intelligence
During his presentation, Brewster Kahle introduced the concept of “Public/Collective Intelligence,” emphasizing the importance of freely accessible knowledge across cultural and linguistic barriers. He highlighted how the EU Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive Article 3 exemption plays a crucial role in facilitating digital access and preservation.
Key initiatives discussed included:
- ✅ Web Crawling & Book Displays – Ensuring historical and contemporary knowledge remains accessible.
- ✅ LLMs for Small Languages – Supporting the development of AI models for underrepresented languages.
- ✅ The Book Server – A promising tool for distributing books efficiently (archive.org/bookserver).
Bridging Culture, Policy, and Technology
The discussion explored the intersection of AI, copyright, and open access, including:
- 📌 The role of AI in archiving – How large language models (LLMs) and AI tools can assist in digital preservation and bringing collections to life.
- 📌 Challenges for libraries and cultural institutions – Addressing the growing impact of digital regulation on open access.
- 📌 Strengthening advocacy efforts – The need for strong allies to support open-access initiatives across Europe.
Attendees also got an exclusive sneak peek at an upcoming documentary on digital archiving, underscoring the urgency of preserving cultural heritage in the digital age.
Looking Ahead – What’s Next for Internet Archive Europe?
With projects like Internet Archive Switzerland in development and a continued push for open cultural access, the Internet Archive Europe community is set for impactful contributions in 2025. Discussions at the borrel laid the groundwork for future collaborations, including a key presentation at the 2025 LIBER Annual Conference in Lausanne this July.
A huge thank you to all participants for an insightful discussion on the future of digital knowledge preservation. Let’s continue working towards a world where information remains free, accessible, and preserved for future generations.
👉 For more updates, visit: internetarchive.eu/news
