Art in the Age of AI: A Panel Discussion on AI in Museums and Cultural Institutions
Thomas Sagory (top left), Freya Salway (top right), Jane Alexander (bottom left), and Zachary Small (bottom right)
On May 6, join Villa Albertine for a panel discussion on the future of AI in the museum world, as part of its Art in the Age of AI series.
From enhancing visitor experiences to its application behind the scenes, artificial intelligence has long been a topic of discussion at museums. Learn about the future of AI at museums from a panel of industry professionals, including Jane Alexander (Cleveland Museum of Art), Freya Salway (Google Arts and Culture), and Thomas Sagory (Museum of National Archaeology).
The Speakers
Jane Alexander, Chief Digital Information Officer, Cleveland Museum of Art
Jane Alexander is the Chief Digital Information Officer for the Cleveland Museum of Art. She is responsible for creating transformative and awe-inspiring digital projects with a visionary application of technology in support of the CMA’s mission. In 2021, Jane led the development of unprecedented, innovative in-gallery experiences in “Revealing Krishna: Journey to Cambodia’s Sacred Mountain,” providing visitors with immersive mixed-reality experiences to tell stories of conservation and the evolving role of museums in stewardship. Since its inception in 2010, Jane has led the many versions of ARTLENS Gallery. This world-renowned multifaceted experience inspires museum visitors to look closer and dive deeper to establish a connection with the CMA’s extensive collection.
Freya Salway, Head of the Lab, Google Arts and Culture
Freya Salway is the Head of the Lab at Google Arts & Culture, collaborating with artists, technologists, curators, scientists, and cultural institutions globally to explore the application of advanced technologies in arts and culture. Since 2018, she has supported artists’ experimentation with AI through residency programs and bespoke collaborations, partnering with renowned artists, innovators, and cultural organizations. Freya has also worked as an independent consultant, enabling artists, brands, and broadcasters to deliver creative projects, and led artistic partnerships for Sky Arts, the UK’s only TV channel dedicated to the arts.
Thomas Sagory, Head of Digital Development at the National Museum of Archaeology
A graduate of the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Egyptian Archaeology and the École de l’Image – Gobelins, Thomas Sagory has been in charge of the Ministry’s grands sites archéologiques reference collection since 2005. Since 2015, he has been responsible for developing digital policy at the Museum of National Archaeology. He contributes to various research projects in France and abroad, including Wakarida (Ethiopia), the Hatnoub alabaster quarry in Egypt, and the Masafi palm grove in the United Arab Emirates.
Moderated by Zachary Small, Reporter, The New York Times
Zachary Small is a New York Times reporter specializing in the art world’s relationship to money, politics, and technology. Their first book, Token Supremacy, which details the frenzied collision of art and cryptocurrency, will be in stores on May 21.
About Art in the Age of AI
Villa Albertine’s Art in the Age of AI event is a two-day exploration of the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on creative practices, present and future.
Bringing together French and U.S.-based artists, tech world leaders, museum directors, journalists, scholars, and lawyers, the event will include panel discussions and demonstrations featuring representatives from OpenAI, SAG-AFTRA, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the U.S. Copyright Office, Google, the French Government’s AI Commission, Columbia University, Sciences Po, Polytechnique, and more. Moderators include The New York Times’ Zachary Small and The New Yorker’s Kyle Chayka.
All panels discussions will take place in English at Villa Albertine’s headquarters in New York.