2025-05-30T03:17:00Z

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Museum visits can often feel a bit daunting for many people. As you step into the vast halls filled with artefacts and historical treasures, your senses are overwhelmed by the rich stories each item has to tell. During guided tours, passionate docents share intricate details about the artefacts, their origins, and their significance. However, when the tour concludes and the guide asks if there are any questions, many visitors find themselves at a loss for words.

You might have a plethora of inquiries swirling in your mind, such as: Why is a vase painted in a striking pink hue? What emotions are reflected in the somber expression of a man captured in a photograph? And why do certain individuals merit a portrait in such a prestigious institution? Yet, the fear of sounding uninformed often holds you back from voicing these thoughts. Instead, you may choose to pose a more sophisticated-sounding question, perhaps about the artefact’s influence on the identity of a specific ethnic group in contemporary society. While this approach may make you feel more knowledgeable, it inadvertently stifles genuine curiosity.

This understanding forms the foundation of a groundbreaking initiative undertaken by OpenAI, an organization renowned for its advancements in artificial intelligence. During the recent ATxSummit tech event, held on May 29, the company announced its first museum partnership in Asia with the Peranakan Museum in Singapore. This collaboration aims to redefine the museum experience by fostering a more inquisitive atmosphere.

The pilot project, in conjunction with Ask Mona—a French AI studio leveraging OpenAI’s large language model—will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to engage with select artefacts through AI-generated conversations. Using Ask Mona’s web application, which is available on any mobile device, museum-goers can “speak” with artefacts in a manner that is not only informative but also engaging. This innovative feature will be accessible until July 6, allowing visitors ample time to explore and interact.

Among the selected artefacts featured in this initiative are traditional Peranakan attire, a kamcheng jar—an intricately decorated porcelain storage vessel—and a collection of photographs that depict various facets and key figures of Peranakan culture. These items not only showcase the rich heritage of the Peranakan community but also serve as a conduit for deeper understanding through interactive dialogue.

OpenAI’s partnership with the Peranakan Museum represents a significant step toward creating a more accessible and engaging cultural environment. By employing advanced AI technologies, the initiative promises to alleviate the intimidation often felt during museum visits, encouraging curiosity and dialogue. As technology continues to evolve, such collaborations may pave the way for a new era in the realm of cultural and educational experiences.