Research project P4S/251/AIRCo (Research action P4S)
Museum Collection Management (CM) is a complex task. The variety of sources, from field notes to digital files, presents challenges in establishing relationships between sub-collections, provenance research, and ensuring data integrity. To facilitate to overcome these challenges the project AIRCO will explore two key applications of AI:
- AI for CM: automating the identification of links, detecting inconsistencies, and enhancing data quality across collections
and databases.
- AI for Storytelling: investigating the potential for AI-driven storytelling to enhance engagement with museum collections.
The first part of the project will focus on developing and fine-tuning AI tools for CM. This will help address issues such as automating the reading of historical handwritten labels to fill gaps and improve the accuracy of collection records.
The second part will focus on two Congolese collectors, Ngwe and N’Kele. These skilled naturalists were recruited by former RMCA director Schouteden during one of his early expeditions to the Belgian Congo. Over several decades (1920–1970), Ngwe and N’Kele collected thousands of specimens, some of which led to the description of new species. Despite their contributions, their names remain largely unknown.
We want to explore how narratives unearthed by AI can increase the visibility of lesser known topics, objects, events or personas, creating new ways to engage audiences through museum exhibitions, websites, and social media. To support this, a hackathon involving different groups of public will be organized to co-develop innovative storytelling approaches using AI-assisted tools.
Finally the results will be published on online repositories for outreach to the source communities, researchers and the general public.
By applying AI to collection management, this project will provide a robust solution for improving data quality and accuracy in museum records. Storytelling through AI will also complement current curatorial practices by unlocking alternative ways to valorise key collections.
