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Fakultät für Informatik

WDR feature on the future of archives with interview contribution by Prof. Fink

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The WDR radio feature “DOK5 – Das Feature” explores the future of archives in the digital age featuring an interview contribution by Prof. Fink.

As part of the series “DOK5 – Das Feature” on WDR 5, a nearly one-hour radio feature on the future of archives and the challenges of digitalisation will be broadcast in mid-November.
The programme also includes a short interview contribution by Prof. Gernot A. Fink on the use of artificial intelligence in archives.

The conversation with Prof. Fink was recorded during the Archivtag NRW of the Landesarchiv NRW on 29 October 2024. Using the 1950 census records as an example, the feature discusses how AI methods can support the indexing of historical collections and what opportunities and limitations arise for archival practice. Several excerpts from this interview can be heard roughly in the middle of the 53-minute programme.

Broadcast dates on WDR 5:

  • Sunday, 16 November 2025, from 13:04

  • Monday, 17 November 2025, from 20:04 (repeat)

Starting Friday, 14 November 2025, the feature will also be available online for streaming and download – on the “DOK5 – Das Feature” programme website, in the ARD Audiothek, and on common audio platforms (e.g. Spotify).