AI is the culture game-changer we can't ignore.

Technological innovations have often been the driving force behind the evolving landscape of arts, culture and heritage. From collection management and research, to visitor experience, communication, creativity, and artistry, technology has improved our capacity, quality, speed, and reach. One of the most topical technological advancements right now is Artificial Intelligence (AI). The AI revolution is not just changing industries; it is fundamentally transforming our relationship with technology, data, and each other. AI has the potential to revolutionise how we work, but it also poses ethical and practical challenges that we need to address now. The cultural sector is uniquely positioned to both influence and be influenced by these technological advances. The NDF23 Whanake \ Evolve conference will provide a comprehensive platform to delve deeper into these topics.

The Ethical Imperative

Ethics in AI is becoming increasingly pertinent, especially within the cultural sector. When we talk about collections, we're not merely discussing objects or artefacts; we're addressing the stories, wisdom, and data embedded within these items—elements that belong to communities, cultures, and individuals. The way we use AI to interact with, represent, or interpret these elements has profound ethical implications.

For instance, consider the digitisation of indigenous objects. Employing AI tools without a sensitive, community-centric approach can inadvertently reinforce colonial practices, potentially alienating the very communities from which the collection originated from. Likewise, AI-driven facial recognition technology used in archival footage or photographs could pose privacy risks, particularly when the individuals represented haven't consented to such use.

Our keynote speaker Peter-Lucas Jones, will explore the complex relationship between AI and community data. "Data is the last frontier of colonisation,” he warns. Jones and his team at Te Hiku Media have overcome resource limitations to develop AI tools for the Māori language. Through their work, they aim not just to revitalise te reo Māori but also to establish a community-led approach to AI, which respects the wishes, privacy, and intellectual rights of the communities involved. Such an approach doesn't see marginalised communities as merely data to consume, but as co-creators and co-custodians of shared heritage and knowledge.

Navigating these ethical dimensions is an imperative that goes beyond just operational efficiency or innovation; it strikes at the very core of what the cultural sector represents—a steward of heritage, culture, and community identity.

The Possibilities of AI Enabled Work

In a case study of utility, Rebecca Coronel from the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia will offer insights into how artificial intelligence and machine learning are game-changers in the archival world. Until now, accessibility and discoverability have been constrained by the limitations of catalogue data and our human ability to generate this data. AI and machine learning have the potential to revolutionise the way we create, manage and access audiovisual collections. With AI search tools, what once required specialised knowledge can now be easily accessible to everyone. AI opens up a new realm of possibilities by making it easier to search collections using facial recognition, optical character recognition, and voice-to-text transcription. Coronel will delve into the NFSA's early experiences with AI tools, outlining the lessons learned, challenges faced, and the transformative potential of AI in making previously "invisible" content accessible to all.

Preparing for the AI Future

As we envision what AI can bring to the cultural sector, it's vital to prepare for this rapidly advancing landscape. The potential AI has for both benefit and harm is intimidating, and we are wise to proceed with caution. However, this omni-use, hyper-evolutionary technology is poised to transform our world whether we accept it or not. It's imperative to face this reality head-on and become adept at leveraging AI's capabilities to advance our institutions’ missions for good. As leaders, innovators, and creators, we must understand the AI tools currently available as best we can, foster AI literacy within our teams, and seize the opportunity to experience, experiment with, and shape AI applications for the sector’s real-world needs and opportunities.

Colby Raley , our invited speaker from 微软 , will shed light on how generative AI is poised to revolutionise access and engagement by increasing inclusivity, simplifying processes, supporting interactivity, and delivering on opportunities that have not yet been imagined. Microsoft, a leader in AI research and implementation, already offers tools that could be particularly beneficial for cultural organisations, and they are investing further in generative AI’s potential to enhance the sector’s capabilities..

Finally in an exercise in experimental learning, Nils Pokel from cultureshock ?? will host a workshop where the curious can put AI technology to the practical test, uncovering its potential and current limitations. Playful team experiments are important, providing safe spaces to challenge our thinking about our future ways of working, collaborating, and creating in the age of AI.

The Cutting-Edge of Cultural Innovation

AI, with all its promises and pitfalls, stands at the forefront of the next big leap in the cultural sector. The urgency to understand and adapt to AI technologies is indisputable. A McKinsey report estimates that 'current generative AI and other technologies have the potential to automate work activities that absorb 60 to 70 percent of employees’ time today' and add unimaginable value to the global economy and industry. The cultural sector cannot afford to lag. NDF23 offers not just a retrospective but a forward-looking platform that engages with the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in the cultural sector. If you're involved in this sector in any capacity, missing out on these discussions would be a missed opportunity to shape and understand the forces that will inevitably transform it.

Will you be there to be part of this exciting conversation?

NDF23 Whanake \ Evolve

November 20 - 22 2023

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa ,

Pōneke Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand

Tickets available at ndf.org.nz/ndf23