UNESCO and ICOM Reveal Museums’ Growing Use of AI Amid Governance Gaps

The first UNESCO–ICOM Global Survey on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Museums was presented at the Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (GFEAI) 2026 in Riyadh on 17 September. This survey marks a significant step in understanding how museums worldwide are engaging with AI technologies and the challenges they face in doing so.

According to the survey, 57% of responding museums are already using AI in some capacity. However, despite this level of adoption, 55% of these museums report that they do not have any internal AI policy, strategy, or guidelines. This indicates a gap between the use of AI and the establishment of formal governance structures within the sector.

AI is being utilised across a growing range of museum activities. The survey found that 70% of museums use AI in administration, 62% in communication, and 43% in research and documentation. AI is also being applied in exhibition development and visitor engagement, reflecting its expanding role in both operational and public-facing functions.

Despite these developments, the adoption of AI in museums remains largely exploratory or staff-led rather than being implemented across entire institutions. Only 17% of museums report providing AI training to their staff, highlighting a significant shortfall in capacity building and professional development related to AI.

Museums have identified several main concerns regarding the use of AI. These include issues of accuracy, copyright and intellectual property, data protection, transparency, and bias. Such concerns underline the complexities and risks associated with integrating AI into museum practices and the importance of addressing these challenges.

Respondents to the survey have called for practical guidance, more training opportunities, stronger data governance, and platforms to share experiences and best practices. These needs point to a desire within the sector for more structured support and resources as museums navigate the evolving landscape of AI technologies.

The findings from this survey are intended to inform efforts to support museums and museum professionals as they evaluate and implement emerging technologies. According to UNESCO, experimentation with AI is advancing faster than institutional capacity and governance, and the organisation has committed to supporting museums in developing the necessary skills, policies, and ethical frameworks to make informed decisions about AI’s role in fulfilling their missions to serve society.