What is a significant challenge associated with digital preservation?

Technological obsolescence is a significant challenge in digital preservation because it refers to the rapid evolution of technology and digital formats. As new technologies and software are developed, older formats and systems may become unsupported or outdated, making access to digital objects difficult or impossible over time. This creates a need for ongoing migration and updates to ensure that digital materials remain accessible and usable.

For example, a file format that is common today may not be easily readable in a decade due to changes in standards, software compatibility, or hardware requirements. Institutions tasked with preserving digital content must therefore actively monitor technological trends and plan for regular updates to their digital archives. This includes converting files to more stable, widely-used formats and ensuring that the necessary software to access those files remains available.

This challenge emphasizes the importance of strategic planning in the preservation of digital materials, ensuring they can be accessed by future generations despite the rapid pace of technological development.