ICOM Calls for Research on AI's Impact on Global Museums

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is soliciting scholarly contributions to examine the integration of artificial intelligence within cultural institutions. This initiative marks a formal effort to document how AI is reshaping the intersection of technology and heritage preservation.

ICOM has issued a call for papers for a special double issue of its journal, Museum International (Vol. 79, No. 315-316), titled "Artificial Intelligence in Museums." The publication, produced in collaboration with Taylor & Francis/Routledge, is scheduled for release in December 2027. Interested contributors must submit abstracts of 250 to 300 words by November 9, 2026. To ensure global participation, the council is accepting submissions in English, French, and Spanish.

The Shift Toward Automation

Museums are increasingly deploying AI across a variety of core functions, including collection management, cataloguing, exhibition design, and visitor engagement. This technological pivot coincides with a tightening global regulatory environment. Frameworks such as the 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and the EU AI Act have highlighted the urgent need for responsible governance when deploying automated systems in public-facing and historical contexts.

Redefining Cultural Authority

The move toward AI integration challenges the traditional role of museums as the primary stewards of cultural authority and public trust. By requesting interdisciplinary research, ICOM aims to address critical vulnerabilities introduced by these technologies, specifically regarding algorithmic bias and the protection of intellectual property. The goal is to establish a rigorous critical framework that allows institutions to modernize their operations without compromising historical accuracy or established ethical standards.

The Future of Museum Professionalism

As the industry moves toward the 2027 publication date, the focus will likely shift toward the evolving nature of museum professionalism. The ICOM call suggests a need to determine whether AI will serve as a supportive tool for curators or fundamentally alter the professional requirements of the field. While the operational benefits of AI are evident, the long-term impact on the authenticity of the visitor experience remains a primary point of inquiry for the upcoming double issue. This academic inquiry arrives at a pivotal moment as institutions balance the efficiency of automation with the irreplaceable nuance of human curation.