AI as a driver of digital transformation in the cultural sector

The five components of digital transformation

AI can do a lot, but only if the rest of the organization is set up for it. Digital transformation ensures that your processes, data, people, and technology work well together. Only then can you fully harness the potential of AI: work more efficiently, gain better insights into your audience, and create more room for creativity and innovation.

DEN identifies five components of digital transformation. To make progress in your digital maturity, it's important that your organization develops across all five components.

1. Data and technology

The way you handle data and technology is indicative of your organization's digital maturity. Do you collect reliable data, analyze it effectively, and use technology purposefully? These are the foundations needed to become future-proof.

AI is a technology that can be used independently. But AI also impacts other technologies: it can replace existing technologies (like audio tours), offer new possibilities (such as making information interactive and personalized), and enhance other technologies (like improving and personalizing VR and AR experiences).

At the same time, AI is changing how we handle data. For instance, questions arise about how to manage your collection and audience data in relation to AI models. Generative AI tools make it easier to perform data analyses independently. AI can boost data-driven work: you can gather insights about your audience and offerings yourself. This requires employees to have knowledge and skills related to (audience) data and handling personal data. Only then can you truly reap the benefits of data-driven work.

2. Processes and structure

AI has a significant impact on how we work, directly or indirectly. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot can assist with various tasks, leaving more time for other activities. The next step is working with AI agents. These can fully automate repetitive tasks: retrieving, passing on, processing, and/or analyzing data or information.

The efficiency benefits require new knowledge, work agreements, and procedures. When work processes are automated on a large scale, this can even result in changing tasks or roles. The extent to which processes are digitized says a lot about your digital maturity. A clear AI policy (opens in new tab) for your cultural organization provides clarity to employees and external partners.

3. Culture and competencies

A basic level of AI literacy is essential to keep up with digital developments. AI is everywhere: integrated into search engines, voice assistants on our phones, and customer service systems. Whether you want it or not, everyone encounters AI. Therefore, knowledge about AI is relevant to everyone.

Knowledge alone is not enough. How your organization approaches learning and development plays an equally important role. Is there room to experiment with AI and learn from it? Does your organization encourage knowledge sharing among colleagues? A well-thought-out implementation of AI and a broadly supported AI policy are best achieved in an innovative organizational culture.

4. Audience and value

AI has created countless new forms of experiences for audiences. You can gather insights about your target group and offerings and tailor communication accordingly. Visitors can interactively compose their own offerings in previously mentioned apps like smARTify and Ask Mona.

AI also enables new possibilities in artistic creations or social value. For instance, AI contributes to more accessible offerings.

5. Strategy and budget

AI is not an end in itself but a means to achieve your organization's (digital) ambitions. This requires an organization-wide vision supported by all employees. AI impacts all aspects and employees of your organization. It is essential that employees have the right knowledge and skills to deal with it. It may also be necessary to adjust processes or make new work agreements.

A strategy also requires a budget. Using AI tools and training employees costs money. Keep in mind that AI can also save costs: most AI tools are designed to increase productivity.

To determine the right application for your organization, it's good to start with a digital strategy! This will guide your digital choices.

Getting started with a digital strategy

• Follow the digital strategy workshop (opens in new tab), the starting point for cultural organizations to guide their digital transformation.

• Prefer to start independently with your digital strategy? Then follow our e-learning digital strategy (opens in new tab)!

• Want to know where your organization currently stands in the digital transformation process? Fill in the Digital Transformation Scan (opens in new tab)!

• Discover what a digital strategy brought Huis van Hilde (opens in new tab) or learn how Joods Cultureel Kwartier (opens in new tab) involves the organization in digital changes.

Introducing AI in your organization

• Follow the workshop ‘Getting started with AI: the basics for smarter working’ (opens in new tab) to gain basic AI knowledge.

• Create an AI policy for your organization using our step-by-step plan (opens in new tab).

• Learn about the AI Act by reading this article (opens in new tab).