AI stands out as one of the most powerful tools, with numerous applications in different aspects of modern life and rising demands. There is a consensus that it has become one of the engines driving technological advancements. For example, Google search and GPS tools are examples of AI in action that link users with accurate and fast solutions to queries.

From a cultural standpoint, the impact of AI technology is not only observable in industry and education but also in art and cultural experiences. Conventionally referred to as repositories of history, museums are experiencing a dramatic paradigm shift with the adoption of AI technology. As indicated by most scholars, museums in the 21st century are not what they used to be. They have evolved from static infrastructures into dynamic interactive cultural centers whose popularity rises with the adoption of these new technologies. AI technology specifically redefines cultural experiences in museums – something that was only an afterthought in art exhibits in the past.

For instance, AI-enabled systems allow for personalized tours and tailor communication to suit the needs and emotions of visitors to the museum. This new dynamic in the museum’s function is captured in the growing application of AI in designing dynamic and visitor-centric spaces in museums. The impact of AI on these spaces has taken it beyond the addition of multimedia features to storytelling, dialogues, and even art creation.

S. Lewis stated: “AI does not just expand the boundaries of access – it erases them” (Lewis, 2023). This quote emphasizes the importance of AI in ensuring inclusiveness in cultural institutions. In terms of accessibility, AI has become essential to ensure equality in opportunities. Translator robots, sign language interpretation in the translation process, robots assisting in tours, and remote museum visits are vital for persons with disabilities. AI is ensuring that cultural institutions become more welcoming and accessible to all viewers.

Another key factor to be considered is interaction with the audience through interactive and immersive experiences. Here, the case of the Science Museum in Kyiv stands out, where interactive processes allow the audience to participate directly in the exhibit rather than view it. This sparks curiosity and helps in learning, especially in the younger community, thereby establishing a new form of art perception.

However, despite these benefits, considerable challenges are involved in implementing AI in museums. The most prominent is the significant financial cost of maintaining technological resources. There are further concerns regarding ethics, such as privacy, copyright laws, and authenticity of cultural resources, on which there are considerable debates in academia. No robot can substitute human interaction, especially concerning the emotional link between the guide and the visitor in a museum.

To sum up, artificial intelligence has become an essential aspect of the cultural context in contemporary society. Nevertheless, it should be recognized that technological progress has dual attributes, accompanied by opportunities and challenges. AI technology is turning museums into interactive platforms for knowledge acquisition, but it has not been devoid of any challenges in financial and cultural terms, either. The application of AI technology in museums symbolizes technological progress and cultural democratization.

“The museum should be a dwelling for the muses, it should be at the same time a school and a temple, a holy place where everything converges to admire and learn about beauty, so that later on in life we can understand and love it”. – Bohdan Khanenko.

References:

1. Wikiquote. (n.d.). Музей. Wikiquote. https://uk.wikiquote.org/wiki/%D0%9C%D1%83%D0%B7%D0%B5%D0%B9
2. MuseumNext. (2023, October 13). Artificial intelligence and the future of museums. MuseumNext. https://www.museumnext.com/article/artificial-intelligence-and-the-future-of-museums/
3. Ministry of Culture of Ukraine. (n.d.). Музей науки. Ministry of Culture of Ukraine. https://man.gov.ua/museums/muzej-nauk