Art Meets Science: AI Cameras Track Museum Visitor Engagement
AI Helps Curators Determine Artwork’s “Attraction Value”
Museums are embracing technology to gain a deeper understanding of how visitors interact with art. In Bologna, Italy, researchers have developed an AI system that uses cameras to track facial expressions, posture, and positioning of museumgoers. This data is analyzed to determine the “attraction value” of specific artworks and optimize gallery layouts.
ShareArt: A Tool for Understanding Art Appreciation
The AI system, called ShareArt, was developed by researchers at ENEA, the Italian national agency for new technologies, and the Istituzione Bologna Musei. It consists of small cameras installed throughout the museum’s galleries that collect data on visitor behavior.
Tracking Visitor Engagement Metrics
ShareArt tracks a range of metrics related to art engagement, including:
- Time spent looking at artworks
- Paths taken through galleries
- Areas of focus on particular canvases
- Facial expressions and posture
Privacy and Ethical Considerations
The ShareArt devices are designed to respect visitor privacy. They do not record faces or other personal information, and the data collected is anonymized.
Enhancing the Museum Experience
The data collected by ShareArt can be used by museums to enhance the visitor experience in several ways:
- Optimizing gallery layouts to maximize artwork visibility and engagement
- Adjusting lighting and display techniques to improve art appreciation
- Identifying artworks that resonate most strongly with visitors
- Developing educational programs and tours tailored to visitor interests
Initial Findings
Initial testing of ShareArt has yielded intriguing results. Researchers have found that:
- Most visitors view artworks alone and wear face masks correctly.
- Visitors tend to spend less than 15 seconds standing in front of any given work.
- People viewing a 14th-century diptych by Vitale degli Equi focused primarily on the “busier” right half of the work, which depicts Saint Peter receiving a blessing.
Turning Museums into Research Laboratories
ShareArt is still in development, but it has the potential to transform museums into research laboratories. By collecting and analyzing data on visitor behavior, museums can gain a deeper understanding of art appreciation and develop more engaging and effective exhibitions.
The Future of AI in Museums
AI technology is rapidly changing the way museums operate. From tracking visitor engagement to providing personalized recommendations, AI has the potential to revolutionize the museum experience. As AI continues to evolve, museums will need to adapt and embrace these new technologies to remain relevant and engaging for future generations.