Empowering Museums with Artificial Intelligence: From Cultural Heritage to Sustainable Business Development

Abstract

This article investigates the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing museums from their traditional mission of cultural preservation towards a framework of sustainable commercial development. The findings suggest that AI, through refined user profiling, semantically enhanced knowledge graphs, and multimodal interactive experiences, is reshaping operational models and revenue systems within museums. Drawing on both domestic and international case studies, the paper proposes a tripartite model—Experience, Data, and Ecosystem—to articulate how AI fosters value creation. It further explores how AI enhances visitor satisfaction, stimulates cultural engagement, and sustains revenue through optimised membership services, expanded digital cultural products, and refined knowledge monetisation strategies. The article ultimately argues that AI is instrumental in enabling museums to undergo digital transformation and cultivate sustainable business value.