Machines meet museums: Report unpacks AI in heritage sector

Nearly a quarter of UK heritage organisations are using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, according to a recent survey commissioned by The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).

The rise of AI in the heritage research led to the NLHF commissioning Dr Mathilde Pavis, of the University of Reading, to conduct research unpacking emerging uses of AI across museums, galleries, libraries and archives, and support the heritage sector in planning for the AI revolution.

The research found the main uses of AI include helping to manage collections, improving visitor experience and boosting business.

Other uses identified include generating new ideas for marketing content, producing transcripts of events and adding metadata tags into catalogues to make collections easier to find online.

But Dr Pavis’s study also highlighted the risks that come with using AI, such as:

● A risk of discrimination when using AI to identify people in images

● Copyright infringement when AI is used to source protected content

● Misinformation from chatbots

There are plenty of solutions to these risks, Dr Pavis suggests. Arts organisations should be conducting rigorous testing for discrimination, inaccuracies and transparency issues, labelling and citing any AI-generated content clearly before publication and developing policies around the use of AI.

Dr Pavis said:“We are starting to see AI being used in several innovative and useful ways in museums, libraries and galleries. Many risks come with using AI, but as cultural leaders, heritage institutions are uniquely positioned to mould AI innovation. Realising the technology's promise requires sector-wide collaboration on its challenges."

Read Artificial Intelligence: a digital heritage leadership briefing