Summary
The Boston Public Library is starting a project to make its collection of historic U.S. government documents more accessible using AI. Collaborating with OpenAI and Harvard Law School, the library plans to digitize thousands of documents and enhance searchability. The project aims to allow worldwide access to these documents through improved digital tools.
Key Facts
- Boston Public Library is collaborating with OpenAI and Harvard Law School to digitize historic documents.
- The documents date back to the early 1800s and include government reports and oral histories.
- People currently need to visit the library in person to access these materials.
- The library plans to digitize 5,000 documents by the end of the year.
- AI will help improve the metadata, making documents easier to search and access online.
- Harvard Law School researchers are training AI models to assist in enhancing library collections.
- AI companies fund the project in exchange for training their systems on the digitized materials.
- The project ensures that both AI companies and the public have access to the digitized data.
