What's Happening?
The Museums of Tomorrow Roundtable 2025, a biannual gathering of international museum directors, recently took place in San Francisco. The event highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence
(AI) on museums. Participants, including Eike Schmidt, director of the Museo di Capodimonte, explored AI's potential to enhance museum experiences, such as using AI to communicate in international sign language. The event underscored AI's rapid advancement since 2023, with significant developments in large language models and commercial applications. However, concerns were raised about AI's alignment with cultural institutions' needs and the uneven distribution of AI benefits globally. The roundtable emphasized the importance of museums collaborating to integrate AI effectively, while maintaining their unique role as places of human experience and cultural engagement.
Why It's Important?
The integration of AI into museums represents a significant shift in how cultural institutions operate and engage with the public. AI offers museums new tools for education, communication, and visitor interaction, potentially transforming how art is presented and experienced. However, the uneven access to AI technology and resources could exacerbate existing disparities among museums worldwide. The discussions at the roundtable highlight the need for museums to actively participate in shaping AI's role in the cultural sector, ensuring that technological advancements align with their mission to preserve and promote cultural heritage. This development could lead to new job opportunities and efficiencies within museums, but also poses challenges in terms of data management and ethical considerations.
What's Next?
Museums are expected to continue exploring AI applications, focusing on collaborations with tech companies and other cultural institutions to harness AI's potential. Future steps may include developing comprehensive digital databases to enhance AI's effectiveness in the museum sector. Additionally, museums will likely advocate for equitable access to AI resources globally, addressing infrastructure challenges in regions with limited technological capabilities. As AI becomes more integrated into museum operations, institutions will need to balance technological innovation with their core mission of fostering human connections and cultural understanding.
Beyond the Headlines
The adoption of AI in museums raises ethical and cultural questions about the preservation of humanistic values in the digital age. As AI systems become more prevalent, museums must navigate the tension between technological advancement and the preservation of their traditional roles as custodians of culture. This includes addressing issues related to data privacy, intellectual property, and the potential for AI to reshape cultural narratives. The roundtable discussions suggest that museums must actively engage in shaping AI's development to ensure it supports, rather than undermines, their cultural missions.
