AI: From Artistic Muse to Existential Threat – A Curator's Lament

The rise of artificial intelligence has sparked both excitement and trepidation across various sectors, and the cultural sector is no exception. Is AI a transformative force that will revolutionize the arts, or an existential threat that will ultimately lead to its demise? The reality, as always, likely lies somewhere in between. Museums, in particular, are grappling with the potential benefits and pitfalls of integrating AI into their operations, from data analysis to content generation.

While many museum professionals are enthusiastic about the prospect of AI assisting with data analysis and streamlining workflows, they remain wary of relying on it to generate original content. The fear is that AI-generated content, devoid of human insight and creativity, will lead to a homogenization of artistic expression and a decline in the quality of museum exhibitions.

The Allure of Data and the Peril of Originality

Many in the museum world see immense value in AI's ability to analyze vast datasets, uncover hidden patterns, and provide new insights into collections. Kevin Gosling, the outgoing director of the Collections Trust, believes that AI will be instrumental in transforming how collections information is held, accessed, and shared across the sector. The Museum Data Service, a collaboration between Art UK, the Collections Trust, and the University of Leicester, aims to bring together over 100 million museum records from across the UK, and AI could be the key to unlocking the potential of this massive dataset.

However, the generative side of AI raises concerns. As Mike Ellis, the director of consultancy Thirty8 Digital, points out, an exhibition written entirely by AI would likely be bland and uninspired, lacking the unique perspective and critical edge that human curators bring to the table. The challenge lies in finding the right balance between leveraging AI's analytical capabilities and preserving the human element that is essential to creating engaging and thought-provoking museum experiences.

The Decolonizing Arts Institute's Approach

Some institutions are actively exploring how AI can be used to address complex issues such as decolonization and representation in museum collections. The Transforming Collections project, led by Susan Pui San at the University of the Arts London's Decolonising Arts Institute (DAI), is using AI to understand the challenges faced by art historians, collection owners, and archivists in understanding their collections. The project has developed a tool that allows users to build their own machine learning models to investigate collections, using examples they provide.

Mick Grierson, a research reader at the University of the Arts London’s Creative Computing Institute, emphasizes the importance of collaboration between technologists and domain experts. By working closely with art historians and archivists, the project aims to develop AI tools that are tailored to the specific needs and challenges of the cultural sector. This collaborative approach is crucial to ensuring that AI is used in a responsible and ethical manner, and that it serves to enhance, rather than replace, human expertise.

The Shadow of Big Tech

Hanging over any discussion of AI is the power of big tech and the threat it poses to how people and institutions can control their creative output. The Make it Fair campaign is an effort by those working in the creative industries to highlight how tech companies using creative content to train their generative AI models without proper controls, transparency, or reasonable payment is unfair and threatens their livelihoods.

Ellis echoes these concerns, emphasizing the power imbalance between hyper-wealthy tech companies and the creators whose work is being used to train AI models. He worries that these companies are sucking all our stuff into their databanks, and they’re not paying anyone anything for the pleasure. The challenge is to find a way to regulate the use of creative content in AI training in a way that protects the rights and livelihoods of creators, while still allowing for innovation and progress.

Ultimately, the future of AI in the cultural sector will depend on how well museums and other institutions can navigate the complex ethical and practical challenges that it presents. By embracing a collaborative approach, prioritizing human expertise, and advocating for responsible regulation, the cultural sector can harness the power of AI to enhance its mission of preserving and sharing art and culture for generations to come. The key is to ensure that AI remains a tool in the hands of humans, rather than becoming a force that dictates the future of artistic expression.