Everything that is wrong in museums starts with wall labels

8 days ago

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The talk discusses how AI and machine learning technologies impact museum collections, particularly focusing on the challenges and opportunities they present.
Digital transformation in museums is described as the commercialization of tools that reveal pre-existing but hidden issues within museum collections.
The role of museums is framed as fostering revisiting cultural artifacts, a mission currently not being fulfilled effectively.
The production of wall labels is highlighted as a symptom of broader organizational challenges in museums, rather than a standalone problem.
Several examples illustrate how AI can be used in museums, such as text extraction from images and generating descriptive texts, but these tools often lack direct integration with collection management systems.
The talk raises concerns about the use of AI for interpretive content, noting that large language models tend to produce average responses that may dilute nuanced museum narratives.
Ethical and practical considerations are discussed, including the risks of outsourcing interpretive responsibilities to AI and the need for museums to maintain factual accuracy.
The talk concludes by recommending voices and resources for further understanding the implications of AI in the cultural heritage sector.

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