Archives: Prime Champions of Authenticity

Abstract

Purpose: In an era marked by misinformation, algorithmic hallucinations, and the widespread erosion of intellectual property rights, the concept of authenticity has become increasingly contested and fragile. This paper examines the role that archives can play in public and institutional responses to digital falsification and generative AI, arguing for a more visible and proactive archival contribution to contemporary information ecosystems.

Method/Approach: The paper adopts a conceptual and analytical approach grounded in core archival principles, including provenance, original order, metadata integrity, professional appraisal, evidentiary value, and long-term stewardship. It considers how these principles can be applied across analogue and digital environments to address challenges arising from falsification, manipulation, unreliable information, and misuse of intellectual property.

Results: The analysis shows that archival institutions possess a distinctive combination of methodological rigor, contextual understanding, accountability, and preservation expertise that enables them to support the validation of records and their evidentiary contexts. Archival expertise can therefore contribute to strengthening democratic resilience, legal certainty, digital literacy, trustworthy information environments, and the responsible and ethical use of generative AI.

Conclusions/Findings: The paper concludes that archives should move beyond a predominantly custodial and historical role and position themselves more visibly as champions of authenticity and trustworthy information. Such a shift requires strategic repositioning, stronger advocacy, and greater archival presence in policy-making, governance, digital preservation, AI-related debates, and public discourse.