The inaugural “Digitise. Transform. Inspire.” (DTI) conference, held in Vienna on 1–2 September 2025, brought together leading international actors from the archival, cultural heritage, genealogy, and technology sectors to discuss the future of archives in the digital age.

Initiated by the International Council on Archives (ICA) with the support of FamilySearch and in cooperation with ICARUS, READ-COOP (Transkribus), and numerous partner organisations, the event marked the beginning of a long-term international collaboration dedicated to advancing archival digitisation, accessibility, and innovation.

The conference united representatives from organisations including Europeana, AI4LAM, Time Machine Organisation, Archives Portal Europe, Ancestry, MyHeritage, and national archives and research institutions from across Europe and beyond. Across keynote lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions, participants explored the opportunities and challenges presented by digitisation, artificial intelligence, and large-scale data infrastructures for cultural heritage.

Discussions focused on themes such as responsible AI adoption, open access to historical records, sustainable digitisation strategies, archival cooperation, data sovereignty, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. Speakers highlighted the importance of balancing innovation with professional expertise, preservation standards, and public trust. Several sessions showcased pioneering projects in handwriting recognition, AI-assisted archival workflows, digital heritage platforms, and collaborative research infrastructures.

A central message throughout the conference was that the future of archives depends not only on technological development but also on international cooperation, shared standards, and accessible digital ecosystems. The event also introduced the DTI Declaration, a shared mission statement encouraging institutions and individuals to support the responsible digital transformation of archives and documentary heritage worldwide.

The conference concluded with a strong call for collaboration across institutions, sectors, and communities to ensure that cultural heritage remains accessible, sustainable, and meaningful in the age of AI and digital transformation.