iPRES 2025 - PAPER SESSION 12: Disruptive Intelligence: Rethinking Archives with AI and Blockchain (45 minutes)

PAPER SESSION 12: Disruptive Intelligence: Rethinking Archives with AI and Blockchain (45 minutes)

Tracks

Virtual Stream

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Virtual

Speaker

Dr Patrice-Andre (Max) Prud'homme

Director, Digital Curation

Oklahoma State University

Integrating AI and Facial Recognition in Digital Curation and Archival Preservation

Summary Abstract

This paper examines the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and facial recognition technologies in advancing digital preservation through archival curation, using the Digital Archives project at Oklahoma State University (OSU) as a central case study. As memory institutions digitize and scale their collections, AI provides powerful tools for metadata enhancement, improved access, and sustainable preservation strategies. OSU’s project deploys InsightFace and custom automation to identify individuals in over 60,000 historical photographs, bridging documentation gaps and fostering cultural and genealogical discovery. The project’s structured workflow—spanning input, processing, storage, and interface development—showcases how AI supports not only technical innovation but also inclusive, ethical, and community-centered practices. This work contributes to the discourse on responsible digital stewardship and affirms AI’s potential to create dynamic, accessible, and ethically sustained digital heritage collections.

Biography

Patrice-Andre (Max) Prud’homme, PhD, is Associate Professor and Director of Digital Curation at Oklahoma State University, USA. He currently provides leadership and management in the areas of digital curation, preservation, and discovery of digital resources, incorporating the application of computational methods and resources to augment the value of digital archival materials.

Mr Oluseyi Noah Adebanjo

Graduate Assistant/fellow

Center For Arkansas History And Culture/William Clinton J. Presidential Library and Museums

ARCHIVAI REVOLUTION: PIONEERING THE FUSION OF BLOCKCHAIN, AI, AND ML FOR DIGITAL PRESERVATION

Summary Abstract

How can archivists cope with managing large backlogs with limited resources? How will they ensure digital authenticity in an era of deepfakes and AI-generated content now and in the future? To tackle this, we developed ArchivAI, a practical framework that combines blockchain verification with AI processing. Our system is built on a Flask-based API with MongoDB Atlas, keeping documents and metadata separate but linked through unique identifiers. Our approach is unique because AI plays a direct role in verification. When the system extracts text, identifies entities, generates tags, and creates summaries, these actions are cryptographically verifiable. Each document is assigned a unique hash stored on a blockchain, ensuring an audit trail that prevents tampering. We moved beyond theory to build a working prototype. When a document enters the system, it is securely stored, processed by AI for better access, and authenticated using blockchain. Our tests show that this method speeds up processing while strengthening authenticity. ArchivAI provides a practical solution for archives to maintain trust, improve accessibility, and work more efficiently

Biography

Oluseyi N. Adebanjo is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in public history at the University of Arkansas Little Rock and a Fellow at William Clinton Presidential Library. His research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and archival practices, particularly in understanding and preserving underrepresented histories. Anuoluwapo V. Alabi is a Computer Information Systems master’s student at Prairie View A&M University and serves as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Research Compliance. She is passionate about cybersecurity and risk management, assisting researchers in aligning with ethical standards and regulations. Oyeleke O. Bolaju is a Master’s graduate in Logistics Engineering with a multidisciplinary background in Information Technology, security, and education. He brings a passion for innovation and community engagement, with a focus on creating secure, scalable tech solutions.