The SHIFT closing conference, Rethinking Inclusion: AI in the GLAM Sector, invites cultural professionals, researchers, technologists, and advocates to join an international dialogue on how artificial intelligence and digital technologies can drive greater accessibility and inclusion across Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums.
As the Horizon Europe–funded SHIFT project concludes, this two-day online event will bring together leading experts from cultural heritage institutions, the technology sector, and disability advocacy communities. The conference will provide a platform to reflect on what has been achieved within SHIFT, while also opening the floor to fresh perspectives and innovative approaches from across Europe. The central aim is to explore how digital transformation can be harnessed not simply to modernize cultural institutions, but to ensure they are more open, equitable, and accessible for diverse audiences.
Conference Highlights
- Keynote Presentations: Inspiring talks on the potential of AI and digital tools to advance accessibility in cultural contexts.
- Panel Discussions: Open exchanges on best practices, persistent challenges, and the opportunities that inclusive digital strategies present.
- Partner Contributions: Presentations from SHIFT collaborators—including FORTH (Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas), Balkan Museum Network, MDS – Massive Dynamic Sweden, and theNational Institute for Social Policy (Hungary). These contributions will cover a wide spectrum of themes: from pioneering work with haptic and extended reality technologies that allow visitors to engage with cultural heritage through touch, to practical examples from museums demonstrating how accessibility can be integrated into everyday practice and institutional strategy.
Why Attend?
By joining the SHIFT conference, participants will have the chance to:
- Engage with the key findings and outcomes of the SHIFT project.
- Gain first-hand insights into new digital tools and inclusive methodologies.
- Exchange knowledge with cultural leaders, technology innovators, and disability advocates.
- Contribute to shaping concrete recommendations for a more inclusive digital future in the GLAM sector.
Join us online, September 22–23, 2025, and take part in redefining how AI and accessibility intersect to transform culture.
Event Link: https://www.linkedin.com/events/shiftconference2025-rethinkingi7372270036285161472/theater/
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
