There’s no doubt that artificial intelligence (AI) will transform the world as we know it, including the cultural sector – in fact, it already is. But to what extent is your museum on top of developments – do you understand the potential opportunities that machine learning presents, or the risks?
This indispensable online event aims to take stock of what AI means for our sector. Although the technology continues to evolve at a mind-blowing pace, this is an opportunity to take the time to consider and discuss what it all means and how you can get ahead of the curve.
Aimed at anyone interested in what AI means for their organisation, practice and sector, this event:
- explores the impact and opportunities on different aspects of museum practice including marketing, HR, collections management, learning and curatorial practice
- examines how AI might streamline operations
- shows how AI could unlock commercial opportunities
- explores how AI can widen access to previous excluded audiences
- discusses the ethical implications of AI, including environmental impact
- looks at different models of AI that are being developed.
Please note that this event will be recorded and available exclusively to delegates after the event, so if you can’t attend on the day, you can catch up in your own time.
We aim to present a diverse range of speakers from across the UK and internationally at our one-day conferences. If you are interested in speaking at one of our events, or have a project you’d like to see explored, please tell us more by emailing the events team.
Museums Journal is currently running a survey of AI use, attitudes and impact in the UK museum sector. The results will be presented at this event. Take part in the survey.
Programme
1100-1120
AI in UK Museums, Galleries and Heritage | Use, Attitudes and Impact
Rebecca Atkinson, event lead, Museums Association, opens the event. She’s joined by Geraldine Kendall-Adams, Museums Journal’s news editor to discuss the findings from a new survey. Discover how museum and heritage professionals in the UK are using AI, what benefits or drawbacks they have experienced, their attitudes to the technology, and how they expect it to affect the sector in the future.
1120-1200
Ethical thinking | how might museums approach AI?
Tech companies might encourage us to “move fast and break things” but how do we as museums want to use, embed and adapt to the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence?
India Divers, policy and ethics lead, Museums Association, introduces the aims of the new AI and Ethics Expert Working Group, and leads a conversation with some of its members to discuss what values-based approaches might look like in practice.
With:
India Divers, Policy and Ethics Lead, Museums Association
Jonathan Munro, Digital Learning Officer at Leeds Museums and Galleries
Nicôle Meehan, Lecturer in Museum and Heritage Studies, University of St Andrews
Mia Ridge, Digital Curator for Western heritage collections at the British Library, and Head of Service for the Museum Data Service
1200-1230
Peer Learning Sets: Sharing ideas, connections and advice
We often do our best learning when we speak to colleagues from across the sector about the challenges or barriers we are facing – listening and learning from each other can increase our confidence and communication skills, and give us ideas to take back to our organisations.
For this part of the programme, delegates will be placed into small breakout groups on Zoom for 15 minutes and given several prompts to discuss. At the end of the discussion, all delegates will return to the main Zoom where there will be the chance to share their discussions verbally or via the Chat function.
Delegates who do not wish to take part in group discussions are invited to consider the prompts independently and may still feedback if they wish to.
1230-1330
Lunch
A one-hour lunch break.
1330-1430
Panel discussion | How to ensure your organisation is AI ready
If museums want to use AI in a meaningful way that aligns with their mission and values, then developing an organisational-wide strategy or policy is essential. Taking the time to consider how you can use AI responsibility and consistently – and to understand how this technology might affect operations such as website traffic, online security and copyright – is essential.
In this panel discussion, professionals at different stages on this journey share their experiences developing strategies and discuss some of the key considerations – including the importance of transparency and safeguarding, approach to risk, as well as staff training and the protection of workforce skills. You’ll hear different approaches to developing strategies as well as advice on keeping them up-to-date as the technology develops and evolves.
With:
Hannah Barton, Head of Digital Media, National Museums Scotland
Rachel Miller, Director of Audiences, Sales and Marketing, The Lowry
Trish Thomas, Head of Digital Innovation, London Museum
1430-1500
AI in practice | TBC
Speaker coming soon…
1500-1530
AI in practice | Wellcome Collection
Jonathan Cates, head of digital experience and insights, Wellcome Collection, discusses how it is testing different models to explore how AI can make its collections more accessible and discoverable.
1530-1550
AI in practice | Australian Museum
Megan Lawrence, head of digital, Australian Museum in Sydney, shares early findings from a recently launched AI-assisted search tool on its website. Discover how it restricted the search to its domain of published material, the role of human oversight and guardrails, its approach to cultural sensitivities and the controls that keep AI-generated responses aligned with authoritative museum knowledge.
Please note that due to the time difference between the UK and Australia, Megan will not be sharing her talk live and is unable to take questions during the event.
1550-1600
Reflections and close
Important booking information
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Competency Framework
Our events programme supports the Museums Association’s Competency Framework, which is designed to inform professional development, improve professional practice and support museums in making a positive difference to people’s lives. This event supports the following competencies: Leading and Change Making.
