Museums help us to understand how past cultures have blended to the changed environment. Since they are the treasure trove of the past, their preservation should be a priority, by which preserving the past world’s culture, heritage and history.
Observing the International Museum Day every year (May 18) provides an opportunity for museum professionals to alert the general public about the importance of museums. However, it should also be a day to understand the challenges that they face.
Here’s a look at how modern technology helps overcoming the technical challenges faced by various museums and how it can contribute to preserving the past.
AI in Museums
Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important topic in the cultural sector. Despite the large number of ongoing projects, applications and implementations, the use of AI in museums are still in their infancy. While museums have long focused on building digital object databases, this vast data can now become a field of application for machine learning, deep learning and foundation model approaches.
Technology has paved way for making the museums more interactive through various tools like the QR codes and apps that can be downloaded into the smartphones. It may be recalled that the Covid pandemic created a platform for virtual tours and digital tourism, and visiting the online galleries through apps on smartphone or laptops.
The Pandemic Effect
In the recent times especially after the pandemic, Artificial Intelligence has helped in transforming the museum tours digitally. Although it is still in its initial stages, the process has begun. Through a 360 degree virtual tour an art lover can have an immersive experience sitting at home.
To make it more realistic and colourful, the AI-powered guides can provide even more intricate and finer details about the artworks on display. Some museums are also employing AI-powered chatbots for making the visitor engagement still more immersive. These can act as virtual guides and can entice the younger generation to understand more about the culture and heritage of the past.
Humanoid robots like Pepper have also been deployed in some museum to facilitate the visitors. According to reports, humanoid Pepper robots have been deployed in at least six ‘Smithsonian spaces’ on an experimental program to test how robot technology can enhance visitor experiences and educational offerings.
One of Pepper’s major influences has been in its interactions with customers and how it is able to engage customers who are of different age groups, especially children.
‘Voices from the Front’ is a new interactive experience at The National WWII Museum that helps visitors connect with the World War II generation in a high-tech yet personal way. Blending artificial intelligence technology and prerecorded answers to hundreds of questions, the experience provides visitors with answers in each interviewee’s own words and voice. The Museum in New Orleans offers visitors an opportunity to interact with the wartime narratives of those who lives through World War II. This kind of immersive exhibit gives the visitors an insight into the various challenges through the World War II.
Now, even as the world has recovered from the pandemic, the virtual tours and AI generated narratives should continue with the same enthusiasm for better conservation of the age old collections.
