The City Museum of Aarau in Switzerland invites you to meet AI Hero to see how a modern twist can provide personal heritage experiences.
Whatever your thoughts on AI, the article below by Manuel Charr is an interesting amuse-bouche ahead of our IE conference in April where we will explore the theme of ‘Heroes, anti-heroes and villains: How we (re)create, use and dismantle them’. This article is reproduced with permission from MuseumNext.
The City Museum of Aarau in Switzerland has always embraced innovation. Their latest digital initiative uses Artificial Intelligence technology to enhance visitor experience with a playful interactive, AI Hero. Laura Schuppli, Digital Curator and Deputy Director of the museum, shared insights into this pioneering project during a recent presentation at the Digital Exhibitions Summit.
A historic museum with a modern vision
Situated in the capital of the canton of Aargau, the museum itself is a blend of history and modernity. Its original structure, a former city castle, dates back centuries and has housed the museum since 1939. In 2015, a modern extension was added, complementing its extensive collection of 60,000 objects and a permanent exhibition dedicated to the city’s rich history. The museum also curates special exhibitions addressing contemporary societal issues, with a strong focus on digital innovation.
Digital transformation and the AI Hero project
Since 2022, the museum has had an approved digital concept, affirming its mission to guide the public through the digital age. AI Hero, a highlight of the museum’s current special exhibition titled Loved, Praised, and Type, explores themes of heroes, idols, and role models. Opened in April, this exhibition examines the function of heroes across five chapters, ranging from childhood heroes to influencers, while posing the question of whether society needs heroes at all.
How can AI enhance visitor experience?
At the heart of AI Hero is a playful AI-powered interactive museum experience where visitors embark on their own hero’s journey, guided by artificial intelligence. This unique tour was developed in collaboration with a data scientist, an author, and a game design studio. Visitors interact with AGTA and Indigo, two AI-generated voices that narrate and guide participants through five stations equipped with computers, microphones, and headphones.
Personalised AI experiences for every museum visitor
Participants begin their journey by discovering their superhero name and powers, co-writing their hero story with the artificial intelligence, which can transform the narrative into a poem, rap, or summary. Visitors’ progress is tracked using an NFC-enabled hero ID card, storing key moments of the journey. At the end, they receive a personalised hero portrait, complete with a haiku summarising their adventure.
For younger visitors, the museum offers a tailored children’s tour. This adaptation addresses the technical limitations of AI in processing children’s voices and uses a more visual, multiple-choice format to enhance accessibility.
Artificial Intelligence innovation backed by research
The project’s technical foundation stems from a research initiative by the University of Applied Sciences in Northern Switzerland, which developed a speech synthesis model capable of translating Swiss German speech into text and linking it with text- and image-based artificial intelligence models. Privacy is a key consideration in AI Hero. Visitors’ interactions are anonymous, with no personal data collected, and any data stored on the NFC cards is deleted after an hour. The photo station, while optional, allows users to conceal their identity if preferred.
Engaging with the ethics of AI
AI Hero goes beyond entertainment to engage audiences in critical discussions about artificial intelligence. An accompanying programme for schools, teachers, and interested individuals explores the opportunities and risks of integrating AI into daily life. Workshops examine stereotypes in AI-generated images, encouraging participants to think critically about the technology shaping the future.
Shaping the future of AI in museums
By blending creativity, education, and cutting-edge technology, the museum invites visitors to reflect on the evolving role of heroes in a digital world. And through the use of AI, the City Museum of Aarau is fostering meaningful dialogue about its implications.
You can find more examples of how museums are using AI here: www.museumnext.com/article/artificial-intelligence-and-the-future-of-museums/
This article was originally published on the MuseumNext platform and is reproduced for Interpret Europe with thanks:
https://www.museumnext.com/article/how-can-ai-enhance-museum-visitor-experience/
What do you think? Could AI challenge historical and societal norms and become your hero? Let us know what you think! Join us at #iecon25 in April for more lively discussion on heroes and villains!
To cite this article: IE News Team & Charr, Manuel (2024) ‘Can AI enhance the museum visitor experience?‘ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 4-2024, pg.4-5.
Available online: https://interpret-europe.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Newsletter-2024_4.pdf
