AI Adoption by Heritage Institutions Faces Barriers

ATHENS, Greece - May 27, 2025 - PRLog -- The SHIFT project, funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe program, has released the findings of its latest surveys, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities surrounding technology adoption in cultural heritage institutions. The two surveys, which were conducted with cultural heritage professionals and the general public respectively, underscore the growing enthusiasm for integrating digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), into museums and heritage sites. However, the results also highlight significant barriers to more widespread implementation.

Razvan Purcarea, the SHIFT project coordinator, commented on the survey findings. "We are seeing increasing enthusiasm within cultural heritage institutions to embrace advanced technologies to increase accessibility, engagement, and visitor numbers,"he said. These technologies are enhancing the experience of cultural heritage by allowing visitors to engage more deeply with artifacts and sites. However, as our survey results show, there are still substantial barriers that need to be addressed."

Key Findings from the Surveys

The SHIFT surveys gathered data from cultural heritage professionals and members of the public, with respondents from Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia.

1. Technology Adoption
   According to the surveys, AI, AR, and VR are already in use at some cultural heritage institutions, with 43% of professionals reporting the use of AI-driven tools for tasks like automated cataloging and storytelling. Similarly, 38% use VR for immersive exhibitions, and 31% have adopted AR for interactive experiences.
2. Barriers to Technology Integration
   Despite the promise of these technologies, a significant proportion of institutions face hurdles to their adoption. The most cited barriers include budget constraints (57%), lack of technical expertise (46%), resistance to change (33%), and physical infrastructure limitations (28%).
3. Public Engagement and Accessibility
   The SHIFT survey of the general public revealed that younger audiences are more likely to engage with cultural heritage when it is presented using interactive and immersive technologies. A large portion of respondents indicated that VR and AR would make them more likely to visit museums or explore collections online. Accessibility is also a key factor, with AI-powered assistive technologies seen as crucial for improving access for people with disabilities.

As a result, the public survey shows that technology isn't just making cultural heritage more accessible for everyone; it's also making it more inclusive. Interactive technologies offer the possibility of attracting new audiences, particularly younger generations who are digital natives and those affected by disabilities.

The findings of these surveys emphasize the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the cultural heritage sector. For more information about the SHIFT project, visit https://shift-europe.eu/ or follow SHIFT on social media.