Internet Archive Switzerland Launches in St. Gallen to Preserve Digital Knowledge and AI Models
The inaugural event at the historic Abbey Archives highlights urgent threats to digital information, including format obsolescence and the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence
Internet Archive Switzerland officially launched as an independent non-profit foundation on 5 May 2026, establishing its headquarters in St. Gallen. The new entity operates under the mission of universal access to all knowledge, aligning its charter with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goal 4. By joining the global network that includes Internet Archive Canada and Internet Archive Europe, the foundation aims to ensure that digital materials remain accessible for learning and research in the future.
The launch event took place at the exhibition hall of the Abbey Archives of St. Gallen, a venue chosen for its deep historical significance. As one of the oldest continuously active archives in the world with a tradition stretching back over a thousand years, the location serves as a symbolic home for the new chapter of the Internet Archive. This partnership underscores the civic responsibility of preserving the record, drawing a parallel between the millennium-old institution and the modern necessity of digital preservation.
Executive Director Roman Griesfelder leads the foundation, bringing extensive experience as a sociologist, business administrator, and former senior project manager at cultural institutions. An Austrian citizen who has resided in Switzerland since 1998, Griesfelder oversees a strategy that addresses the fragility of digital information. The foundation identifies specific threats such as file format obsolescence, storage media failure, accidental or deliberate deletion, and the increasing prevalence of paywalls that hinder access to knowledge.
To combat these challenges, the foundation has established two primary initiatives in its early stages. The first is the Gen Artificial Intelligence Archive, a collaboration with the University of St. Gallen designed to preserve current AI models for future generations. This initiative recognises that generative AI and large language models are fundamentally reshaping how humanity creates and shares knowledge, necessitating a comprehensive record of this technological evolution.
The second key initiative is the Endangered Archives programme, which seeks to rescue vulnerable collections from conflict, disaster, and suppression before they are lost. Through cooperation with UNESCO and other established organisations, the foundation aims to provide a secure digital haven for cultural heritage and historical records worldwide. This effort targets materials threatened by instability and natural disasters, ensuring that collective memory is not erased by external forces.
The foundation invites researchers, libraries, developers, and curious citizens to engage with its work in St. Gallen. By writing to the organisation, stakeholders can report collections at risk or explore potential partnerships. The launch represents a bold commitment to unwaveringly pursue the mission of preserving the foundations of knowledge about society, leveraging both historical precedent and modern technology.
