Virgil

In 2024, I created the Living Museum, a reimagination of the British Museum's digital collection. Since launch, thousands of people have used it to explore the history and origins of artifacts through conversation. Teachers used it as a study aid in classrooms, I've presented it at conferences, and it's been cited in academic papers.

AI systems are only as good as the human data that goes into them. The Living Museum's conversations with artifacts, driven by large language models, are grounded in archival data and curatorial notes meticulously catalogued by museum professionals. Chat helps visitors become active participants in acquiring this knowledge.

When I saw how people interacted with the Living Museum, it became clear to me that this concept could be taken much further. Visitors often expressed the desire to traverse entire historical eras, material cultures, and art movements in one conversation. They needed something (or someone) that could answer all their questions and go down any rabbit hole.

Virgil is my answer to this. Named after the poet who guided Dante in the Inferno, Virgil is an AI museum guide who can answer broad-sweeping questions using objects from a museum's collection. He can take you on curated journeys through the museum's most important objects and themes. He knows when to slow down, speed up, or switch languages based on your specific needs.

Virgil is live for the museums below. Enjoy the demo!

“Therefore, for your own good, I think it best you follow me. I will be your guide, and lead you forth through an eternal place.”— Virgil, Inferno