Revolutionizing Museum Professions Thanks to Artificial Intelligence

Article written by: Terentia.

The future has arrived: artificial intelligence (AI) in museums ushers in a new era for the sector. However, its appearance raises many questions.

What benefits can AI really bring to our institutions? Won’t it be expensive and time-consuming to implement? And what about the ethical concerns we’ve all heard?

In a sector often subject to resource constraints, where data integrity is essential, it is understandable that these questions dominate the debates.

At a time when AI is entering its adolescence phase within cultural institutions, its true potential continues to unfold. For museums ready to embrace innovation, the challenge of adaptation is offset by the exciting opportunities that AI offers.

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How can AI help museums?

AI-based solutions can bring real hope to museums facing growing challenges.

The expectations for contemporary institutions are considerable, from meeting the evolving demands of modern audiences to reimagining exhibitions for physical and digital spaces. In this context, time becomes a precious commodity, with budgets, resources and staff constantly in demand.

Good news? Integrating artificial intelligence into collections management and digital asset management (DAM) can accelerate and streamline many daily tasks that hinder the work of industry professionals.

Here are some ways AI can support museums:

• Automation of repetitive tasks : Improve efficiency and reduce human errors by automating a range of boring and time-consuming tasks. This allows your team to refocus on high value-added activities.
• Improved search and discovery : Locate collections items and digital assets with greater speed and accuracy with AI-powered search tools that go beyond simple keyword matching.
• Support for business expansion : Do you have huge volumes of data to process? AI thrives on large amounts of information, making it ideal for scaling operations without overwhelming your team.
• Improved metadata creation : Rich metadata is essential to unlock the full potential of your collections. AI-powered tools can analyze digital assets—like photo, video, and audio files—and generate relevant keywords, descriptions, and categories much faster than manual cataloging.

Are there any downsides to AI for museums?

It is obvious that AI is not a silver bullet for museums. Nor does it offer an easy, one-size-fits-all answer to clogged workflows, overworked staff, and strained budgets.

Like any technology, AI-based solutions must be chosen, implemented and used carefully to meet the specific needs of your institution. The adoption of AI also raises new ethical and security considerations that museums must navigate.

Here are some things to consider when thinking about AI tools for your museum:

• Privacy and data security : Collection and visitor data should not be Never be entered into AI systems without prior verification of their security and ethical treatment.
• Bias and cultural sensitivity : Not all AI systems are trained on equal grounds. If the training data contains biased information, this can be reflected in the AI ​​output.
• Job replacement : The automation of tasks previously carried out by museum staff raises concerns about the possible replacement of certain positions.
• Transparency and accountability : AI solutions can function as “black boxes”, making the decisions made obscure. This opacity can undermine trust within museums, particularly when AI is used for curation.
• Resource allocation : Implementing AI may require investments in infrastructure, equipment and training.
• Selection and adaptation to AI solutions : Museums may find it difficult to evaluate the multitude of AI products and services available.

With the right approach, these challenges can be overcome and the benefits of AI can be transformative for museums.

Choosing museum software with integrated AI

Opting for museum software with built-in AI capabilities is a simpler and more strategic option than trying to fit generic AI tools into your workflows.

For example, Terentia’s next-generation platform, designed specifically for the GLAM sector, integrates artificial intelligence into its digital asset management and collections management solutions.

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Update on AI functionality: video insights

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What’s next on the AI ​​roadmap?

Artificial intelligence continues to evolve and offer new possibilities for the GLAM sector.

To stay up to date with these advancements, Terentia is committed to adding new AI-powered features to its museum software.

Ready to adopt AI in your museum?

Artificial intelligence is establishing itself permanently in the world of museums. If implemented responsibly and ethically, this technology can bring widespread benefits to institutions seeking to improve their operations.

Curious about how AI could benefit your team? Start the conversation with Terentia.

Good to know

• Museums can benefit from AI through better data and collection management, while simplifying certain tasks.
• Ethics and security considerations remain crucial points in the adoption of AI.
• AI solutions must be tailored to meet the specific needs of each institution.