As AI-generated content multiplies and its origins become harder to trace, a basic question is becoming urgent: how can we know that information is authentic and has not been tampered with? The Nordic National Archives believe they hold part of the answer.

The Directors General of the National Archives of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden signed a joint statement in Dublin on 20 October 2026 on the role of National Archives in digital society. The statement describes National Archives as part of society’s critical digital infrastructure and calls for their expertise to play a stronger role in shaping national and European data and artificial intelligence policies.

The Nordic National Archives share the view that their responsibilities have evolved alongside the digital transformation of public administration. Today, National Archives are an integral part of digital information management, and their expertise is increasingly important for public sector information flows, reliable information management and artificial intelligence.

Reliable AI depends on authentic information

Information in public administration is created digitally. It moves between organisations and information systems and forms part of increasingly automated information flows. Artificial intelligence and AI agents create new opportunities to make use of this information. At the same time, it is becoming ever more important that information is authentic, reliable, accessible and used securely.

The Nordic National Archives regard archiving as an integral part of digital information management in public administration. Whether information can be preserved, found and reused in the future depends on decisions made when it is first created and when information systems are designed. This is why the expertise of National Archives matters for the development of digital information flows in public administration and for ensuring that systems can work together.

The role of National Archives extends beyond preserving information and making it available. Their expertise contributes to effective public administration, the conditions for research, the development of artificial intelligence, and societal security and preparedness.

A shared ambition to strengthen policy influence

In their joint statement, the National Archives emphasise that their evolving role should be recognised in public administration strategies, governance frameworks and, where appropriate, legislation.

The National Archives aim to participate more actively in national and European policymaking on data, information management and artificial intelligence. Through closer cooperation, they also seek to advance shared Nordic perspectives in these areas.

The Nordic countries are particularly well placed to pursue these ambitions. Advanced digitalisation, a strong tradition of open government and high levels of trust in institutions provide a solid foundation for joint engagement and influence.

The statement reinforces the shared position of the four Nordic National Archives that information management which safeguards authenticity is fundamental to the development of digital society. Together, they seek to play an active role in shaping how the authenticity, accessibility and usability of society’s information are secured for the future. The statement was

Joint statement:

Päivi Happonen, The National Archives of Finland

Hrefna Róbertsdóttir, The National Archives of Iceland

Daniel Forsman, The National Archives of Sweden

Inga Bolstad, The National Archives of Norway