Jason Evans

Jennie Fletcher &  Lesley Gray  

Ben Wiggins 

Rosa Filgueira

Creativity and AI: Cultural Heritage

Digital Futures is a highly interdisciplinary network which operates across the whole range of the University’s digital research.The aim of Digital Futures is to present a coherent overview of our digital research activity to external stakeholders and bring together our research communities to explore new research areas and address strategic opportunities.We group our activity around themes that encapsulate our broad research capabilities and the challenges to which these can be applied. These themes do not operate as self-contained entities; however, there is considerable synergy and overlap between them, and many of our academics are involved in a number of capability and challenge themes.

Digital Futures

Exploring the use of AI in cultural heritage, including galleries, libraries, archives and museums.

Manchester Art Gallery

The second event of the 2026 CreaTech Network Series explores the use of AI in cultural heritage contexts, including galleries, libraries, archives and museums, and how emerging technologies are shaping practice across the sector.This event will focus on how AI is being applied to digitised collections and heritage data, and the considerations institutions need to take into account when working with AI. It will look at practical applications alongside wider issues such as data sensitivity, governance, ethics and collaboration between cultural institutions and research organisations.The session will include short talks from academic and heritage-sector speakers, followed by a panel discussion and open Q&amp;A. Speakers will be confirmed shortly. The event is intended to bring together researchers, cultural institutions and industry partners to share experience, discuss current practice and encourage collaboration.Location: Manchester Art Gallery Lecture Room, Mosley St, Manchester M2 3JL Date: Thursday 30 April │ 14:30 - 17:00 Complimentary refreshments will be provided.This event forms part of a three-part CreaTech Network Series running between February and June 2026, designed to strengthen connections across the CreaTech ecosystem in Greater Manchester and the North West, and to support collaboration between the University and the wider creative and cultural industries community.<h3>About Digital Futures</h3><a href="https://digitalfutures.manchester.ac.uk/" title="https://digitalfutures.manchester.ac.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Digital Futures</a> is a highly interdisciplinary network that operates across the whole range of the University’s digital research. We aim to present a coherent overview of The University of Manchester's digital research activity to external stakeholders and bring together research communities to explore new research areas and address strategic opportunities.<a href="https://tinyurl.com/digitalfuturesuom" title="https://tinyurl.com/digitalfuturesuom" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Register here</a> to receive regular updates about Digital Future's activities. You can also connect with Digital Futures via <a href="https://twitter.com/DigitalUoM" title="https://twitter.com/DigitalUoM" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">X </a>and <a href="https://linkedin.com/showcase/digital-futures-at-the-university-of-manchester" title="https://linkedin.com/showcase/digital-futures-at-the-university-of-manchester" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn</a>.<h3>About Creative Manchester</h3><a href="https://www.creative.manchester.ac.uk/" title="https://www.creative.manchester.ac.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Creative Manchester</a> is an interdisciplinary research platform based at The University of Manchester. The platform champions research in creativity and creative practice, bringing together research communities with external stakeholders to explore new research areas and address strategic opportunities. Please visit the website for more information: <a href="https://www.creative.manchester.ac.uk/research/" title="https://www.creative.manchester.ac.uk/research/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Creative Manchester</a>.<a href="https://www.creative.manchester.ac.uk/opportunities/contact-us/mailing-list/" title="https://www.creative.manchester.ac.uk/opportunities/contact-us/mailing-list/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Register here</a> to receive regular updates on upcoming Creative Manchester news, events and funding opportunities. You can also connect with Creative Manchester via <a href="https://x.com/UoMCreativeMCR" title="https://x.com/UoMCreativeMCR" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">X</a>, <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/uomcreativemcr.bsky.social" title="https://bsky.app/profile/uomcreativemcr.bsky.social" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Bluesky</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UoMCreativeMCR" title="https://www.facebook.com/UoMCreativeMCR" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/creative-manchester-at-the-university-of-manchester/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/creative-manchester-at-the-university-of-manchester/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/uomcreativemcr/" title="https://www.instagram.com/uomcreativemcr/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a>.<h3>About Turing Innovation Catalyst</h3><a href="https://ticmanchester.org/" title="https://ticmanchester.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Turing Innovation Calayst</a> (TIC) is a new not-for-profit focussed on catalysing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem across Greater Manchester, using AI to power the growth of careers, businesses and the regional economy. TIC is funded as part of the GM Innovation Accelerator and is being incubated within the University of Manchester. Please visit the website for more information about <a href="https://ticmanchester.org/" title="https://ticmanchester.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">TIC</a>.

Agenda

Tea, coffee and water available. Please arrive, register and get settled before the welcome.

Registration & Refreshments

Welcome to the event and introduction to the theme and speakers from Riza Batista Navarro (Creative Manchester – Creative Industries & Innovation / CreaTech Theme Lead)

Welcome & Introduction

Lightning Talk 1 - Jason Evans – National Library of Wales

Lightning Talk 2 (Joint) -  Jennie Fletcher – Cambridge University Library Les

Lightning Talk 3 - Ben Wiggins – University of Manchester

Lightning Talk 4 - Rosa Filgueira – University of Edinburgh

Chaired by Riza Batista Navarro, this panel brings together all speakers for a facilitated discussion followed by an open audience Q&A.


Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A

Canapés and a selection of alcoholic and non‑alcoholic refreshments. An opportunity to network with speakers and attendees.

Networking Reception

Empire of AI by Karen Hao

Manchester Business School, Lecture theatre G.003

Centre for Digital Trust and Society Forum 2026

No.1 Circle Square

3D Body Scanning & Bespoke Garment Production: Industry Engagement Event

The University of Manchester

RBOC Network+ Modelling SciFi Pitch.

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Creativity and AI: Cultural Heritage

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