In 2026, the CENL “AI in Libraries” Network Group will again host webinars on various uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in national libraries.
For more information please see below and/or contact Jean-Philippe Moreux from the National Library of France, the chair of the group at jean-philippe.moreux@bnf.fr.
EPFL, Mistral AI, BnF, British Library
Abstract: This webinar will provide an update on the work carried out within the ArGiMi project in the field of OCR post-correction, including the development of the Mistral AI “Colette” model, as well as on the ICDAR HIPE-OCRepair 2026 competition organised by EPFL (Lausanne), which brought together several teams and a range of technical approaches.
10 July 2026, 10:00 am (Paris time)
Register the webinar: https://bnf-fr.zoom.us/meeting/register/S1Gz1ayYRQqOdpeyMJo4Ng
Javier de la Rosa (National Library of Norway)
Abstract: This presentation examines Norway’s effort to build sovereign language models grounded in national collections, public infrastructure, and responsible legal frameworks. Focusing on the National Library of Norway’s work on Norwegian and Sámi language models, it traces the path from large-scale digitization and data curation to model training, evaluation, alignment, and licensing. It also situates these efforts within the evolving European AI Act landscape, highlighting how copyright, transparency, open licensing, and systemic-risk obligations shape the development and release of general-purpose AI models for public benefit.
November 2026
Greete Veesalu (National Library of Estonia), Jean-Philippe Moreux (National Library of France)
Abstract: IIIF acts as a facilitator for AI projects, as it provides standardised and efficient access to data—the raw material of modern AI. This webinar will highlight several case studies from two libraries, focusing on their use of IIIF version 3.
November 2026
Yves Maurer (National Library of Luxembourg)
Abstract: The electronic legal deposit has allowed the National Library to collect digital born publications widely. This flow of documents comes on top of the regular legal deposit and acquisitions and it has been difficult to catalogue and make it available. Automating Cataloguing is seen as a means to ensure findability for these documents. This webinar will look back on the lessons of 3 years on this project.
December 2026