New technology review 2023

We’re around halfway through 2023 (I know, where does it go?), so we thought it an opportune moment to reflect on some of the year’s latest tech trends and how they can be applied to the cultural heritage sectors.

Not a day goes by, it seems, without a media frenzy about new technology and its potential effects on the human race. Putting aside these moral panics, digital is transforming our everyday lives in many positive ways. From AI to the metaverse, emerging technologies are revolutionising how we work, live and communicate.

New technology trends

Technology is constantly evolving, however, the past six months haven’t really seen the beginning of any major new technologies. What we are seeing however, is the new application of these technologies and so this article takes a look at four trends and how they can be applied to the cultural heritage sector. In this article we’re going to explore the following:

• The metaverse
• Web3
• Quantum computing
• Artificial Intelligence

Confession time

It’s time for us to ‘fess up. In the spirit of embracing new technology, we decided to use AI to help us write this article. The tool in question was Google Bard, a conversational AI chatbot designed to create text of different kinds. A rival to ChatGPT, Bard is much more powerful than Google Assistant.

So, here’s the question, as you read on can you tell which paragraphs did we write, and which did Google Bard write?

The metaverse

What is it?

The metaverse is a virtual world that’s accessed through a variety of devices, including VR headsets, AR glasses, and smartphones. Still in its early stages of development, it has the potential to revolutionise the way we interact with the world around us.

In the metaverse, we can do things like attend virtual events, meet with friends and family, and even work. Other applications for this new technology include gaming, education and event therapy.

How can cultural organisations use it?

Cultural institutions could use the metaverse to open up their exhibitions to users unable to visit in person. With access to physical museums and galleries limited by geographical and financial constraints, the metaverse could provide immersive experiences to huge audiences normally excluded by distribution bias.

In addition, cultural institutions in the metaverse have the opportunity to become more accessible to users. Whilst a largely visual experience, the metaverse can act as a more in inclusive space by providing 3D echoloaction or the use of haptic feedback, which enables people to feel their environment using specialist equipment.

Web3

What is it?

Web3 is a new way of thinking about the Internet, and is based on blockchain technology. Blockchain is a secure, transparent way of recording data, and is the underlying technology behind cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

Web3 promises to be more decentralised and user-owned than the current web, with a focus on security, privacy, and ownership of data. This means that users will have more control over their personal information and how it’s used.

How can cultural organisations use it?

Arts institutions such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art are using blockchain to acquire crypto artworks, therefore expanding their collection further into the digital space.

Conversely museums are starting to use Web3 to raise funds by selling digital artworks in exchange for crypto currencies.

Quantum computing

What is it?

Quantum computing uses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems that are too difficult for traditional computers. This means that quantum computers could be used to break encryption codes and simulate complex molecules. Quantum computing could have a major impact on a wide range of industries, including healthcare, finance, and security.

How can cultural organisations use it?

Whilst uses for quantum computing by cultural organisations are still to be explored, this hasn’t stopped artists getting in on the act. Take Design Jam, a recent project by IBM Quantum, The New School and the Parsons School of Design. The collaboration uses quantum computing to develop visual arts and music.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

What is it?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a type of technology that allows computers to learn and make decisions on their own. AI is already being used in a wide range of applications, such as facial recognition, spam filtering, and self-driving cars. In the near future, we can expect to see even more AI-powered products and services that make our lives easier and more efficient.

How can cultural organisations use it?

AI is bound to have an all-encompassing impact on cultural and heritage institutions, from front-of-house services to archival storage and building management. For example, here are some potential uses for artificial intelligence within the libraries sector:

• Customer service – libraries are beginning to experiment with 24/7 chatbots to answer customer queries
• Library analytics – rather than rely on outdated data in a reactive fashion, AI can be used to predict user patterns, which can be used strategically to plan services
• Content indexing – AI can provide consistent and accurate indexing that can help users discover new material

The takeaway

These are just a few of the tech changes that are set to impact us all in the near future. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and disruptive products and services that change the way we live and work.

So, did you guess what we wrote versus what Google Bard wrote?

Photo by Mojahid Mottakin on Unsplash