Museums of the Future and Copyright: Preservation of and access to cultural heritage in the age of AI

The seminar “Museums of the Future and Copyright: Preservation of and access to cultural heritage in the age of AI” took place successfully on 7 October 2025 at the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens.

The event was co-organized by the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG Connect) of the European Commission and the Hellenic Copyright Organization (HCO) within the framework of the European program “Raising Awareness of Intellectual Property Rights in Cultural Heritage, Education, and Research Institutions.”

The event opened with welcome addresses by Mr. Iason Fotilas, Deputy Minister of Culture and Mr. Panagiotis Tsiris, President of HCO and Emeritus Professor at Panteion University.

The program featured presentations and interventions addressing critical issues related to intellectual property in museums, legal and technical challenges of digitization, and the new opportunities offered by artificial intelligence for managing, preserving, and providing access to cultural heritage.

Key speakers included:
• Eirini Stamatoudi, Professor and Head of the Law School, University of Nicosia
• Anna Despotidou, Assistant Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Legal Advisor at MOMus
• Dr. Maria-Daphne Papadopoulou, Deputy Director, HCO

The panel discussion featured:
• Frantziska Papadopoulou, President IFIM, Professor at Stockholm University
• Eleftheria Douma, Head of the Department of Archaeological Museums and Collections, Ministry of Culture
• Dr. Sofia Chandaka, Curator, Department of World Cultures, Benaki Museum
• Stamatis Schizakis, Acting Deputy Director of Collections and Documentation, EMST

The discussion was moderated by Maria G. Sinanidou, Lawyer and Scientific Associate at HCO.

In the afternoon, participants took part in a Hands-On Workshop, working on real-life case studies and applying intellectual property principles in digital cultural heritage management contexts.

The seminar highlighted the importance of collaboration between culture, technology, and law, confirming the role of intellectual property as a key tool for preserving and disseminating cultural heritage in the digital age.

Access the presentations: