Digital skills for culture

The article presents the contributions of six authors on the intersection of digital skills and the cultural and creative sector, emphasising the impact of digitisation and artificial intelligence on cultural heritage. It highlights key challenges such as the need for updated cultural policies, the potential misuse of AI and issues of access and equity in cultural heritage. The traditional approach to AI is contrasted with modern neural networks, which offer new possibilities, particularly in metadata creation. The need for "solid humanists" rather than merely skilled technicians is proposed as a theme requiring attention, and a blurring of the distinction between digital and human identity is advocated. Gaps in digital skills within the Italian cultural sector are also discussed, with many institutions lacking comprehensive digital innovation plans and focusing primarily on communication rather than digital preservation and research. There is hope for a positive technological vision that integrates human and digital skills. Education and training programmes aimed at improving the digital skills of cultural heritage professionals are essential.