International contemporary art platformOn September 17, 2026, UNESCO and ICOM presented the findings of their first Global Survey on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Museums at the Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Riyadh. The survey, which included responses from over 400 museums across 90 countries, provides a comprehensive overview of how museums are integrating AI technologies into their operations.
According to the survey, 57% of participating museums have already adopted AI in various capacities. These applications span a broad range of museum activities, with administration leading at 70%, followed by communication at 62%, research and documentation at 43%, and exhibition development and visitor engagement also featuring prominently. Despite this uptake, the survey reveals that AI adoption is often exploratory or driven by individual staff members rather than being embedded institution-wide.
A notable finding is that 55% of museums lack formal internal policies, strategies, or guidelines governing AI use. Furthermore, only 17% of museums reported providing AI training to their staff, indicating a gap in capacity building. Museums also expressed concerns regarding the accuracy of AI outputs, copyright and intellectual property issues, data protection, transparency, and potential biases in AI systems.
Respondents emphasized the need for practical guidance, enhanced training programs, stronger data governance frameworks, and platforms for sharing experiences and best practices. These insights are expected to inform future efforts to support museums and professionals in navigating the ethical and operational challenges posed by emerging AI technologies.
The survey’s findings underscore a critical phase in the cultural sector’s engagement with AI, where experimentation is advancing faster than the development of institutional capacity and governance structures. UNESCO has committed to continuing its support for museums in building the necessary skills, policies, and ethical frameworks to ensure AI technologies serve their cultural, educational, and social missions effectively.
This global perspective on AI adoption in museums highlights the sector’s evolving relationship with technology and the importance of addressing governance and capacity to harness AI’s potential responsibly and sustainably.
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