At the Auckland Museum, we are looking at how can we harness the power of a global workforce, free software, and social media to embrace the changes made by the digital revolution. Can we use the “gig economy,” machine learning, and the power of the crowd to solve our backlog problems head-on? Can these new ways of working help us to free our time for the more creative and innovative aspects of our roles? Is it better to have an AI-created record online than no record at all? What are the ethical implementations of automated, computer-generated content for museums?

1. KIA
ORA

2. Adam Moriarty
@adamrmor
Head of Collection Information
A CRISIS OF
CAPACITY

3. “Biggest issue facing the
business of museums and
public history is not dropping
visitation numbers, but a crisis
of capacity.”
— Taylor Stoermer

4. 163 Years and Counting
Auckland Museum, Princes Street, interiors, Richardson, James Douglas, 1877-1942, photographer, PH-NEG-14817

5. Is it better to
have an AI
record online,
than no
record
online?
Office computer. K E Niven and Co :Commercial negatives. Ref: 1/2-240175-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22759460

6. NOT
A replacement for cataloguers -
simply tackling the backlog head-
on & allowing our staff to work
more efficiently.

7. Caption
Confidence
Tags
A living room filled with
furniture and a fireplace
94%
Indoor,living,room,table,
window,furniture,ceiling,
wood,wooden,view,chair,filled,
fireplace,looking,area,large,
decorated,place,television,
dining,red,flat,fire,bedroom,
white

8. Caption
Confidence
Tags
A person holding a baseball bat.
14%
Person,building,outdoor,baseb
all,white,holding,child,black,
photo,standing,player,young,
bat,little,boy,woman,wearing,
girl,ball

10. ….the people who coded the
algorithm hadn't taught it to
identify a broad range of skin
tones and facial structures.
— Joy Buolamwini

11. Is it better to
have an AI
record
online, than
no record
online?
Office computer. K E Niven and Co :Commercial negatives. Ref: 1/2-240175-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22759460

13. GIG
ECONOMY
Haystack (band) at Wairarapa College) : digital image Frances, Neil : collection (11-27)

14. “GIG”
Online micro-job costing
between $5-$50 USD
completed by a freelancer
using an online marketplace.

20. • Embrace the changes brought about by the digital economy
• Reduced costs by only paying for the working hours required.
• Gain access to the expertise we need for a fraction of the cost.
• Lean and agile problem-solving.
• Created skeletal records available for searching online.

21. BUT…
Petrol Stop, HWC08-SO105, Kete Christchurch

24. MA Code Of Ethics 2.2d
“Provide appropriate
financial rewards for
the duties specified…”

25. ICOM Code of Ethics 8:
“Principle - Members of the
museum profession should observe
accepted standards and laws and
uphold the dignity and honour of
their profession. They should
safeguard the public against illegal
or unethical professional conduct.”

26. SO WHAT?
Tool kit. K E Niven and Co :Commercial negatives. Ref: 1/2-227480-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22811084

27. aucklandmuseum.com
@adamrmor
THANK YOU