Metadata creation and enrichment using artificial intelligence at meemoo

This paper discusses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications for the creation and enrichment of descriptive metadata at meemoo, the Flemish Institute for Archives. We begin by explaining why we use AI tools for metadata creation and enrichment, and which AI applications we specifically employ. We then describe our evolution from small-scale pilots to large-scale projects, and how meemoo aims to transition from a project-based approach to a structural operation in using AI applications for metadata creation and enrichment. We provide details on our approach, results, lessons learned and future steps, and describe how the use of AI applications poses not only technical challenges but also raises a series of legal and ethical questions. This paper highlights our journey into AI as a service organisation supporting over 180 organisations in the cultural, media and government sectors in Flanders — not in isolation but in close collaboration with our partners, leading to shared solutions.