Transkribus User Conference 26
21–23 September University of Passau
This Year's Theme
Not all AI is created equal
The Transkribus User Conference 2026 explores how cutting-edge AI technology is transforming our ability to unlock historical documents and preserve cultural heritage for future generations. This year's theme focuses on the race between general-purpose AI and specialised models for handwritten text recognition. We will discuss how Transkribus and various AI approaches can effectively meet the needs of scholars, archivists, and research institutions in unlocking the written past.
Programme
Three days, four marquee sessions, eleven panels
Opens and closes with the READ-COOP board on stage, anchored by two keynotes, with eleven panels — Lightning Talks and Scholarship Presentations — round tables, workshops, and a poster session in between.
Opening
State of Transkribus
Mon 21 Sept · 17:30 – 18:00
Keynote
What Visual Language Models Can (Not) Do for Document Analysis
Vincent Christlein
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen, Germany
Keynote
Why does language inclusivity matter in text recognition and otherwise in the age of AI?
Alíz Horváth
Central European University, Vienna, Austria
Closing
The Road Ahead
Wed 23 Sept · 15:00 – 15:30
Lightning Talks
8 panels — short, focused presentations grouped by theme.
Scholarship Presentations
3 panels — in-depth presentations from the scholarship programme.
What's in the programme
Venue
Where innovation meets history
University of Passau, Germany
At the confluence of three rivers in one of Germany's most picturesque cities — historic setting, modern facilities.
- Centrally located with excellent transport links
- Modern conference facilities
- Nearby accommodation options
- Accessible venue
Getting there
Tickets
Secure your spot at TUC 2026
Early Bird from €149 — until May 31, 2026.
On-site · Early Bird
In Passau
- Full conference access (3 days)
- All sessions & workshops
- Coffee breaks & lunch
- Conference materials
Virtual
From anywhere
- Livestream of keynotes and selected sessions
- Full access to session recordings after the event
- Interactive Q&A via live chat
- Digital event materials & resources
Voices
What attendees say
What I really enjoyed about TUC was the collaboration, the networking, getting to share different ideas, and learning different ways of using tools.
Jérémy Scraire
Researcher, Canada
At the TUC, I've been speaking to historians, linguists and genealogists. It really shows that Transkribus is a technology that can be beneficial in various ways!
Tamara Terbul
Linguist, Austria
It was exciting to learn practical tips on working with archives and integrating a crowdsourcing community into the transcription of historical documents.
Magally Alegre Henderson
Archivist and Digital Humanist, Peru
The Hosts
The AI platform for historical documents.
Hosted by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Frequently Asked
Questions
Ready to join us?
Don't miss the opportunity to connect with the Transkribus community and discover the latest in handwritten text recognition.
Get your tickets now
Beyond the talks
Room to keep the conversations going
Two evening events bracket the days in Passau, with plenty of space threaded through the programme in between.
Day 1 · Mon · from 19:00
Oktoberfest Reception
Welcome drinks and Bavarian bites to kick off the conference.
Day 2 · Tue · from 19:00
Conference Dinner
A four-hour Danube cruise out of Passau with dinner and unhurried networking.
Coffee breaks
Between every session — time to follow up on what you just heard.
Shared lunches
Tuesday and Wednesday on-site — stay put and keep the thread going.
Poster session
Tuesday afternoon — dedicated time with the people behind the work.
Plus quiet breakout rooms for the conversations that need a corner of their own — more on networking between sessions .