Cultural Work, Wellbeing, and AI

In museums, heritage, and non-profit cultural organisations, thought leadership on the ethical implications of AI is gathering speed. Notable initiatives include the Network of European Museum Organisations (NEMO)’s efforts to address the uptake of AI in museums (Network of European Museum Organisations, 2024) and the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council’s BRAID programme dedicated to integrating Arts and Humanities research into the “Responsible AI” ecosystem (BRAID, 2024). This is a fast-evolving area with new analysis and calls to action appearing with frequency. As yet however, little attention has been given to how AI is emotionally impacting lived experiences of cultural workers as organisations seek to operationalise it. This paper highlights the need to consider such impacts, as well as the general-purpose technologies AI builds upon, such as biotechnology and a connected ecosystem of devices, on cultural workers and their practices. The convergence of these technologies signals what futurist Amy Webb calls a technology “supercycle” with far-reaching implications (Aiello, 2024).

This paper does not present new empirical evidence but rather portends the need for more research on the relationship between wellbeing, AI, and work in cultural organisations. Based in the UK and the Netherlands, the authors are researcher-practitioners who explore the impact of digital technology on cultural workforces. We seek to critically anticipate the implications of AI on those working on the ground in cultural organisations. Our ideas and examples draw from the UK, Europe and the United States, but we hope they speak to experiences of cultural workers across the globe.

In what follows, a strategic foresight method known as the “Futures Triangle” (Inayatullah, 2023) will be deployed to consider the plausible future of AI-driven cultural work that might emerge between three pushing and pulling corners – the past, the present, and the future – each of which is shaping the adoption of AI in our cultural organisations. This framework helps raise awareness of the trends, drivers, and signals of which cultural organisations need to be aware to ensure an integration of AI that empowers workers to engage effectively while addressing the ethical dilemmas involved. This structure recognises the history that has shaped our current decisions, determines what to carry forward or leave behind, and confronts present challenges. We must consider the impact of our choices and how they will resonate into the future, ensuring they reflect the people and context of multiple possible futures.