AI in culture: where we stand as a sector

Experiment: AI as a tool in oral history

Erik van Vliet from Erfgoed Gelderland explored how AI can add value to oral history: documenting personal memories through interviews. This preserves stories, emotions, and voices that are not recorded in other sources.

AI can simplify or speed up work in every step of oral history research:

1. In historical preliminary research, for instance, NotebookLM is a useful tool for analyzing or summarizing existing sources.
2. ChatGPT can assist in preparing the interview by generating good questions based on your preliminary research.
3. The recorded interview can then be transcribed: converting spoken text into written text. Several transcription tools are available that can do this much faster than a human, including Whisper and the transcription features of Microsoft Teams. Erik shared his prototype on the DEN community platform and via Github.
4. When converting the transcription into a public product, such as an article or infographic, ChatGPT or a similar AI tool can be very useful. Numerous tools are also available for video editing.
5. Although this still needs further experimentation, AI can also assist in archiving data according to Linked Open Standards.

Can you entrust private matters to an AI tool?

Of course, there are also caveats to using AI for oral history. Can you entrust private matters to an AI tool? The tools can also make mistakes, such as providing incorrect information or being insufficiently accurate in transcription. Additionally, there is an overabundance of tools, many of which require payment. Moreover, technology often suffers from a lack of emotion and context: AI can understand what is being said but not how. Finally, AI tools are prone to stereotyping, for instance in interpreting interviews or drafting questions.

The quality of the tools is improving but is not yet good enough to take over all the work. Humans remain indispensable throughout the process. It is important to use your common sense and critically assess what AI can and cannot do.

AI in your organization: user groups, training programs, and guidelines

Jiska Jacobs is the initiator of AI implementation at TivoliVredenburg. They use the following approach:

1. The Utrecht venue has an AI user group, consisting of fourteen colleagues from various departments who explore new tools together, discuss dilemmas, share use cases, and experiment collaboratively.
2. With lunch lectures, strategy sessions, and workshops, the entire organization is involved and trained in AI. Topics include ethical and responsible AI usage, effective prompting, and the possibilities of Microsoft Copilot. The training program is conducted by Bureau Reuring. TivoliVredenburg received funding for this through WerktuigPPO.
3. TivoliVredenburg has established AI guidelines, such as rules about sharing sensitive data, being transparent about your own AI usage, and respecting intellectual property. The guidelines have been shared on the DEN Community platform.

AI in theater: reflecting on the role of technology in creative processes

Makers are also experimenting with the possibilities of AI. Marijn de Jong from performance collective URLAND knows this better than anyone. The collective used AI to create the performance Formerly Known As, in which the exhibition creators ask ChatGPT to write a performance for them. The subject of the performance: the creative process of a show made with AI. The result is a collaboration between humans and machines, with scripts generated by ChatGPT and cloned voices. The two main insights from this process:

1. The creative process posed quite a few challenges. For instance, the creators sometimes no longer knew who had come up with what (the AI or the creators), partly because ChatGPT used the plays URLAND had previously made when writing the script. They also had to consider the rights of others' work they wanted to include in the performance.
2. Both the audience and the creators reflect on this performance. Is performing a show still worthwhile if technology takes on such an important part of the creative process? Does the audience even believe that the work was entirely written by AI? And what does that do to the experience? The performance made both visitors and creators think about the changing meaning of art in the digital age.

AI in museums: engaging youth with interactive storytelling

National Monument Kamp Amersfoort aims to better highlight experiential stories about World War II, particularly for young people. Therefore, Micha Bruinsvels, the museum's director, decided to develop a digital chatbot. Visitors can use it to converse with guards and prisoners of the camp. Four insights from this application:

1. The storyline in the chatbot is inspired by the experiences of former prisoners. This real-life component was essential for Kamp Amersfoort. With sensitive topics like this, you absolutely don’t want to miss the mark.
2. Determining the right angle for the chatbot didn’t happen overnight. Kamp Amersfoort created multiple prototypes, which were tested with the target audience. This allowed the developers and staff to better understand what works well. For instance, the story is no longer set in the present but in the past, and multiple characters are now central, creating a more dynamic experience. Changing backgrounds were also added to keep young viewers engaged.
3. Through this form of interactive storytelling, Kamp Amersfoort connects the situation of the past with the present. The conversations revolve around sowing division: during World War II, different prisoners were pitted against each other. By making young people aware of this, they can not only empathize with the past but also prepare for a future where similar dynamics might reoccur.
4. Kamp Amersfoort built on previous experiments by Museum de Heksenwaag. By working with the same developer (ImproVive) and applying for funding from Cultuurloket DigitALL, they were able to realize this project.

In summary

• AI is a rapidly growing theme. While we were still exploring our relationship with AI barely two years ago, we now see various useful applications: as a tool in oral history research, as a creative sparring partner for creators, and as audience interaction in museums.
• Funds like Cultuurloket DigitALL can help realize your AI project. With the WerktuigPPO scheme, you can partially reimburse training costs.
• Most cultural organizations opt for a responsible use of AI with an AI policy. Use the AI policy roadmap to make choices that fit your organization.