AI Task Force

I. Purpose

The AI Task Force (AITF) (herein “Task Force”) works to ensure that the Society can support archives and archivists who must make a determination on how to adopt and implement AI technologies. The Task Force  reports to Council and is expected to coordinate with various SAA component groups, external organizations, and communities represented in archival collections. In addition, the Task Force will keep pace with relevant scholarship, technical development, ethical perspectives, and accessibility concerns and benefits, so they can advise on issues and advocate for the intersection between records, archives, and archivists and AI, and will report on matters relating to AI.

II. Task Force Selection, Size, and Length of Terms

The AI Task Force (AITF) composition shall be as follows:

  • Co-Chairs (2)
  • Members (11)
  • Council Liaison (1)
  • SAA Staff (1)

The Task Force consists of fifteen members representing diverse expertise necessary to tackle the ethical, technical, and accessibility aspects of AI and archives. The co-chairs and members of the Task Force shall serve for two years. Members of this Task Force are appointed by the SAA vice president/president-elect, in consultation with the Task Force co-chairs. One member shall serve as liaison to the Intellectual Property Working Group; another will serve as liaison to the Trust in Archives initiative, and another will serve as the liaison to AI4LAM. 

III. Duties and Responsibilities

The Task Force serves as Council’s point of contact for questions about AI, collaborates with organizations with similar expertise and interests, engages with diverse communities (not just institutional partners), and closely considers accessibility benefits of relevant AI-generated or -assisted technologies. The Task Force will examine AI implications for the archives profession broadly and for SAA’s internal policies, standards, and governance.

Members of the Task Force are appointed for a 24-month term. Given the rapid pace at which AI is evolving, the Council, through its Liaison, may recommend changes to the deadlines to accelerate this work as the task force's capacity allows. As an early priority, it will compile and contextualize existing AI‑related resources from across the cultural heritage sector. The Task Force will deliver initial findings within 6 to 12 months, but may adjust its timeline as necessary to address rapidly evolving AI issues. Specifically, it is  expected to produce the following deliverables:

  • Within the first 6 months:
    • Issue a statement of values to guide archival work and partnerships 
  • Within the first 12 months:
    • Create an AI resource page, which includes the following:
      • Identify a set of AI competencies for the profession 
      • Recommend relevant training for archivists 
      • Develop “best practice” guidance for archives and archivists (specifically the following aspects of archival work: donor relations, access and reference, description and metadata, etc.) 
      • Promote the AI resource page 
  • Within 18 months
    • Provide guidance for SAA’s use of AI as a professional association Provide a recommendation on whether a permanent SAA component group on AI should be established, including proposed scope and size
  • All 24 months:
    • Make recommendations to SAA Council for necessary actions to meet the duties and responsibilities specified above, and to meet SAA’s mission, Core Values, and Code of Ethics 

IV. Reporting Procedures

The AI Task Force reports to the Council and works closely with its Council liaison, the President, and the CEO to ensure that it is responsive to the Council’s needs. The co-chairs, or their designee, are responsible for submitting an annual report, providing updates–which may include recommending items for action, discussion, feedback–at Council’s quarterly meetings, and engaging in educational programming with related stakeholders. The co-chairs are also responsible for ensuring that minutes of Task Force meetings are prepared and posted on the Task Force’s SAA-hosted website to inform SAA members of its activities and comply with SAA’s record-keeping requirements.

V. Meetings

The Task Force is expected to meet once per year at the Annual Meeting and may also meet mid-year when appropriate. In addition, the Task Force may conduct its business by e-mail, telephone, or virtual meeting during the course of the year. The members of the Task Force  may agree on the frequency it deems appropriate to conduct its business meetings. 

Approved by the SAA Council in March 2026.