Aimed at connecting artworks and culture, Microsoft develops AI-powered platform

The Museum of Art and Photography MAP and Microsoft announced the launch of a novel artificial intelligence AIpowered platform for connecting artworks and cultures around the worldThe platform called INTERWOVEN is rooted in MAPs vast collection of South Asian textiles and was developed as part of Microsofts AI for Cultural Heritage initiative which leverages technology to empower people and organisations dedicated to the preservation and enrichment of art and cultureINTERWOVEN brings together collections from key institutions and partners across the world alongside MAPs including the VampA in London MET in New York Rietberg in Zurich and the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada to reveal connections between artworks from different cultures mediums and time periodsINTERWOVEN represents these visually and intuitively encouraging further exploration discovery and crosscultural exchangeaceAfter the pandemic a primary aspect of our mission is to use the digital realm to connect with people across the country and the world Were rethinking the idea of museums They cannot be mere repositories of objects said Kamini Sawhney Director MAP in a statementMAP will not just be a collection of objects but a space for ideas and conversations that are initiated through our collections INTERWOVEN fits securely within this visionThe platform works by providing users two options The first allows the user to view predefined journeys created primarily by MAPs educational and research arm the MAP AcademyThese combine relationships between global artefacts suggested by the AI which are then researched and expanded further by individual curators It is an explorative model for how AI might be used in museology and art historical researchThe second option invites general users to explore the platform to stumble upon meaningful and sometimes even surprising visual connections It provides a new way to engage with culture and learn more about the history of textiles and fashion and their relationship to global exchangePrevious projects under Microsofts AI for Cultural Heritage initiative have involved improving accessibility through the Open Access collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York and the digital restoration of Ancient Olympia in collaboration with the government of GreeceIn India the MAP in Bengaluru is the first project under this initiativeINTERWOVEN is a project that is deeply impactful to society culture and heritage The project interweaves technology with art using AI to find shared histories in artistic traditions from different corners of the globe particularly pertaining to something as rich and complex as textiles said Rohini Srivathsa National Technology Officer at Microsoft IndiaOur approach to AI centres around meaningful innovation and this project beautifully allows art to be more accessible and inclusive for people around the world We stay committed to using technology to help celebrate and preserve culture as part of our AI for Cultural Heritage initiative she addedAlso ReadMicrosoft likely working on bringing games to Teams soonThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever