Rethinking science museums in a future shaped by AI

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms human life, how should science museums tell the story of science in the future?

Recently, the China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing hosted a salon to imagine the future of science museums. It invited science fiction writers Cheng Jingbo and Jiang Bo; Glyn Morgan, the head of collections and principal curator at the Science Museum in London; Ji Shaoting, founder of the Future Affairs Administration, a company that deals with sci-fi publishing, consulting and filmmaking; and interdisciplinary architect Ye Cheng. Using 2050 as a focal point, they explored and debated how science museums might exist in the future.

Compared with natural history, art, and history museums, science museums are the most challenging to curate, "because science and technology are vast, with a lot of material and content, yet it is quite abstract", Ye said.

The abstract nature of scientific concepts can lead to three pitfalls: being too literal and showcasing products, being overly didactic and dogmatic, or focusing too much on artistic interaction at the expense of scientific content, he said.

Reflecting on their visits to the China Science and Technology Museum, Cheng said that it mainly showcases technological achievements, with visually engaging themes like space exploration, while Morgan praised the museum for effectively engaging families and young people, connecting science with everyday life, and inspiring young visitors to feel they can influence the future.

Ji noted that the exhibitions have evolved beyond one-way knowledge sharing, and now balance cutting-edge technology with fundamental sciences, and serve as a social venue for friends and families. Jiang suggested that, although the exhibit about the Early Jurassic dinosaur Lufengosaurus is visually impressive, the connection between the dinosaur displays and the broader themes of science and technology isn't clear. He also thought that the information in the basic science section is somewhat scattered, lacking a cohesive narrative.

In the central segment of the discussion, titled "Envisioning the Future", the guests each contributed five keywords to express their visions for science experiences in 2050.

Cheng's keywords included "dream-making" and "localized imagination". She said science museums have irreplaceable value and should serve as public "dreammaking spaces". China is vast, and cities have their own museums, and the unique landscapes, cultures, and people offer rich material for inspiration.

"By incorporating these local elements into science museums and blending them with scientific knowledge, we can create experiences that spark the imagination and offer immense creative potential," she said.

Morgan's keywords included "empathy" and "othering". In an increasingly digital world, people are becoming more isolated, and the role of physical venues is to foster collective human connections, he said. Science should become a universal language, and technology such as artificial intelligence should serve people rather than the other way around.

"I included the concept of empathy because I believe in the idea of connection," he said. Empathy and understanding between people are among the great messages of science fiction. It involves the coming together of different groups and the idea of connecting with different species, perhaps animals, plants, or aliens, he added.

"Othering", he said, represents one of the most powerful feelings and ideas in science fiction. It's the sensation of encountering something truly alien, something that doesn't share the same consciousness as humanity.

"I believe that encountering something truly strange can create a sense of wonder, and fostering that sense of wonder is one of the most important things a science museum can do," he said.

Ji emphasized "emotional connection" and "inquisitive thinking". In today's AI era, where knowledge is easily accessible, science museums do not need to function like universities teaching knowledge. Instead, their core value lies in inspiring emotions, creating memorable experiences, and providing a space for reflection and meaningful questions, she said.

Jiang highlighted "spectacle" and "story". He said that immersive experiences are now the norm, and science museums should offer architectural and exhibition spectacles. However, "story" should be at the heart of the narrative, with both physical and virtual technologies serving as storytelling tools.

Ye's keywords included "living architecture" and "omniscient senses". For him, the science museum of 2050 will be a dynamic structure combining organic and technological elements. Criticizing the sensory disconnection caused by current VR, he advocated for engaging all human senses, even intuition, thus breaking down the boundaries of walls, themes, and senses. This approach aims to dissolve the divide between visitors and exhibits, allowing visitors to become co-creators of the exhibition, he said.

In the next five to 10 years, science and technology museums will face new opportunities for development because both national strategies and public interest are heavily focused on AI and new technologies, Ye said.

"As a result, we can expect more museums to showcase these advancements and future possibilities," he added.

Contact the writer at yangyangs@chinadaily.com.cn