Schmidt Sciences is supporting the AI4LAM Innovation Awards at Fantastic Futures 2026
We are very proud to announce that Schmidt Sciences is supporting the AI4LAM Innovation Awards at Fantastic Futures 2026, recognizing outstanding achievements that advance the development and innovative implementation of AI across the cultural heritage sector.
This support is provided through the Schmidt Sciences HAVI program, which focuses on humanities, cultural heritage, and AI. Their commitment helps accelerate new approaches, empower experimentation, and spotlight the projects shaping how libraries, archives, and museums responsibly adopt AI for the benefit of global cultural memory.
This year marks the first edition of the AI4LAM Innovation Awards, established to recognise and highlight initiatives that not only advance technological innovation but also promote trustworthy, responsible, and impactful solutions aligned with the conference themes. The main themes of this year’s conference are:
- Implementation
- Data
- People
- Models & Infrastructure
We particularly welcome submissions that reflect the collaborative, open, and responsible values and demonstrate the potential of artificial intelligence to support the sustainable development of all cultural heritage institutions.
This year, we received 166 proposals, of which 10 were nominated by the Program Committee for the AI4LAM Innovation Award. The shortlist has now been finalized, and in August the Program Committee will evaluate the shortlisted proposals and select three finalists. The winners will be announced during the conference.
We are excited to celebrate these outstanding achievements, showcase innovative approaches from across the community, and recognize the individuals and teams whose work is helping shape the future of AI in libraries, archives, museums, and cultural heritage.
Therefore, we are delighted to have sponsors such as Schmidt Sciences supporting this important initiative. We hope that not only the financial award will encourage and motivate participants and researchers to continue their outstanding work and pursue innovative solutions that contribute to the advancement of integrated care, but that the presentation and dissemination of their work will also contribute to the safe, responsible, and ethical development of artificial intelligence in the field of cultural heritage.
We are very excited to showcase these inspiring projects at the conference and to celebrate the achievements of researchers and innovators who are playing an important role in shaping the future of the field.
Read more about our challenges and awards:
AI4LAM Futures Challenge Announcement and Innovation Awards
