Levéltári utópia

Szabó, Csaba (2026) Levéltári utópia. LEVÉLTÁRI KÖZLEMÉNYEK, 96. pp. 9-24. ISSN 0024-1512

Preview

Text L_K_96_2025_1_1_SzaboCs_KL.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (190kB) | Preview

Abstract

This essay reflects on how the role and status of archives may change in the futureas a result of developments in digitization, data mining, and artificial intelligence,from the perspective of the editor-in-chief of Levéltári Közlemények. His paperalso outlines the expected shifts in emphasis in the preservation, processing, andprovision of documents, as well as the transformation of archival tasks in responseto technological change. After addressing what, how much, and why archives pre-serve from the vast number of documents accumulated over the centuries, theessay demonstrates – through examples – that technological innovation and thegrowing demand for information are already placing increasing pressure onarchives to make their holdings accessible to the wider public. In this process, theNational Archives of Hungary is playing a pioneering role, not only in Hungarybut also in an international context, in the development, refinement, and applica-tion of new practices. Looking ahead, accelerated access to documents, more efficient research basedon structured data processing, and easier retrieval to relevant information mayopen up far-reaching prospects for archives to function not merely as sources ofdata, but as active participants in knowledge sharing and knowledge production.The digitization of the Hungarian state civil registry, for example, could make itpossible to reconstruct a “family tree” of contemporary Hungarian society, withimplications for family and local history, public health, and related fields.Concluding this positive utopia, the author argues that fears surrounding therapid development of artificial intelligence are unfounded in the archival sphere,as archives positioning themselves at the forefront of change can remain both thehistorical memory of the state and a dynamically evolving data resource contribut-ing to scientific and social innovation.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item