An MPAI/IEEE International Standard for Audio: Overview of CAE Audio Recording Preservation (ARP) Technology

The Audio Recording Preservation (ARP) technology represents a significant development in the field of audio preservation and is an essential component of the Moving Picture, Audio and Data Coding by Artificial Intelligence (MPAI) Context-based Audio Enhancement (CAE) standard. This standard has been adopted by the IEEE Standard Association as IEEE 3302-2022 and it specifies a range of AI-based technologies for various audio applications, including communication, entertainment, post-production, teleconferencing, and preservation. This article aims to highlight the specific contribution of CAE-ARP technology to audio preservation applications. The CAE-ARP technology has several innovative features that make it a valuable tool in the digitization and preservation of open-reel audio tapes. It leverages automated AI for extracting relevant information from digitized audio files and for creating preservation and access copies. By using the ARP standard, archives can effectively manage all the information stored onto tapes, along with related metadata, to automatically prepare the content for storage and/or immediate use. This technology represents a significant advancement in the field of audio preservation and provides an effective solution for managing small and large collections of open-reel audio tapes.