AI och Arkivarien: En kvalitativ studie av arkivariers attityder till AI

Sammanfattning

This study examines how archivists in Sweden perceive and relate to the development of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in relation to their professional role, practice, and conditions surrounding the use of AI. While AI has been described as having significant potential for increasing efficiency, handling large volumes of digital material, and improving access to archives, it also raises concerns regarding bias, transparency, authenticity, and archival principles. Previous research has primarily focused on technical applications and international contexts, creating a need for studies grounded in the perspectives of Swedish archivists. This study is qualitative and based on seven semi-structured interviews with archivists working in Sweden. The material is analyzed through profession theory, Terry Cook’s archival paradigms, and ICA’s Code of Ethics. The findings show that archivists generally view AI as a potentially valuable tool, especially for efficiency and accessibility, while also expressing concerns about practical issues, such as AI undermining archival authenticity or handling archival material in an inappropriate way. This study further highlights unequal conditions within the Swedish archival sector for implementing AI, particularly regarding resources, technical competencies, and level of digitalization. Although some informants view AI as potentially transformative for the profession, there is also skepticism towards the idea of a fundamentally new professional role. AI is primarily understood as a tool that requires critical oversight and practical considerations in relation to established archival practices. The thesis concludes that AI may reshape archival practice and professional competencies, but that these developments depend on archivists’ ability and opportunity to engage with this new technology, which is shaped by their own conditions, such as technical competencies and openness to new technology.