What goes on in the brain of a futurist when you say “artificial intelligence?”

Join me for TrendsWatching: To Live or Die in AI, on Thursday, May 21, at 8:30 a.m. in room 115 B at the AAM annual meeting in Philadelphia for tour of my brain pondering the latest technology promising to transform our world.

I’ll riff, speculate and do a little bit of venting. I have thoughts. And big feelings. And strong opinions (some of which may not be what you expect).

I’ll share:

• Some of the strongest use cases I’ve found for AI, in museums and in society at large
• A summary of data on the negative impacts of AI on the environment, the economy, human cognition, and psychological wellbeing
• New data on public opinion about AI, museums, and trust
• A tour of some possible futures, bright and dark, shaped by the evolution of AI
• A framework for values-based decision making on AI and museums

Ned Ludd, Ted Kaczynski, and Lucretia Mott have all made their way into my script so far. Please join me for this session if you want to find out what these, and other historical figures, might tell us about the future of AI.

A Guide to AI sessions at the Conference

I encourage you to use the conference as an opportunity to hear a variety of perspectives on this emerging technology. Panels throughout the program will address AI from a variety of angles, including ethics, practical applications, and the mitigation of potential harm. If you want to use the annual meeting as an opportunity for a deep dive into artificial intelligence, bookmark these sessions as well.

Friday, May 22

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Artificial Intelligence, Authentic History: Ethical Use of AI in Design

Kyle Bernard, Director of Exhibits, presents a case study about making ethical decisions around the use of AI in a temporary exhibit developed for the new National Museum of the U.S. Navy. Staff grappled with questions around activating historic paintings with AI animation: would it negate the ‘truth’ in the artwork, sully the artists’ intent, or misrepresent history? What ethical principles should guide the creation of AI voicework? (Room 118 AB)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm

Harnessing Data, Analytics, and AI to Transform Philanthropy and Engagement

How can museums balance innovation with institutional values and donor trust? This session promises to explore how museums of all sizes can integrate data analysis and AI into development and engagement practices to strengthen fundraising outcomes while preserving the human-centered values at the heart of cultural institutions. Presenters will share lessons learned based on a case study with Colonial Williamsburg. (Room 117)

1:15 – 2:15 p.m.

From Data to Decisions to Discovery: AI’s New Role in Museums

Leaders from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, Museum of the American Revolution, Brooklyn Museum, and Dexibit will discuss the emergence of AI powered visitor planning, such as Google Gemini, ChatGPT and Meta AI, and what those systems are telling the world about our museums. Learning outcomes include: how to audit and improve an institution’s AI visibility and discover benchmark data across museums. (Room 115 C)

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Museums, Data and Culturally Competent AI

With only a fraction of museum holdings having been digitized, museums have an opportunity to establish new norms around AI. This panel addresses the ethical, legal and practical issues surrounding cultural data archives and AI, and will present legal concepts of data trusts, data commons and other cooperative models. The discussion centers on data governance and how museums can develop a digital commons which blends First Nations Principles of ownership, control, access and possession into data policies with beneficial rights of other stakeholders, including museums and public funders. (Room 116)

Saturday, May 23

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Mental Gymnasiums: How Museums Build Cognitive Strength in an AI World

Research that suggests heavy reliance on AI may weaken neural development, reduce problem-solving skills, and limit critical thinking. As our youngest learners grow up with AI as a constant presence, and as adults increasingly rely on it for intellectual and creative tasks, what role can museums play in keeping our intellectual and creative muscles active, and how might they adapt as our cognitive landscape changes? Panelists will discuss how children’s museums can foster cognitive resilience in young learners, promote AI as an assistive tool rather than a substitute for thinking, and ensure equitable access to learning resources. (Room 116)

Responsible and Ethical Storytelling Utilizing New Technology and AI On one hand, AI can help museums provide personalized tours and interactive exhibits, and enhance accessibility. On the other hand, bias in AI algorithms can distort historical narratives, misrepresent marginalized groups, pose privacy concerns, and raise issues about the role of human expertise or authentic cultural interpretation. This session presents perspectives from staff of an outdoor history museum, a presidential museum, and a holocaust museum on on the ethics and risks of AI applications. (Room 115 B)