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A Virtual Assistant for Natural Interactions in Museums

Author

Listed:
  • Mihai Duguleană

    (Department of Vehicles and Transportation, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Transilvania University of Brașov, Eroilor 29, 500036 Brașov, Romania)

  • Victor-Alexandru Briciu

    (Department of Social Sciences and Communication, Faculty of Sociology and Communication, Transilvania University of Brașov, Eroilor 29, 500036 Brașov, Romania)

  • Ionuț-Alexandru Duduman

    (Department of Electronics and Computers, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Transilvania University of Brașov, Eroilor 29, 500036 Brașov, Romania)

  • Octavian Mihai Machidon

    (Department of Electronics and Computers, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Transilvania University of Brașov, Eroilor 29, 500036 Brașov, Romania)

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its real-life applications are among the most effervescent research topics of the last couple of years. In the past decade, stakeholders such as private companies, public institutions, non-profit entities, and even individuals, have developed and used various AI algorithms to solve a wide range of problems. Given the extended applicability and the disruption potential of this technology, it was just a matter of time until it connected to the field of cultural heritage. This paper presents the development of an intelligent conversational agent which was built to improve the accessibility to information inside a history museum. We present the cultural context, the application architecture, the implementation challenges, and the visitors’ feedback. We created a smart virtual agent that interacts with users in natural spoken language. This involved the design and implementation of the artificial intelligence-based core responsible for understanding the Romanian language. A short survey regarding the tourist acceptance of the system was conducted at the premises of our partners, the Museum “Casa Mureșenilor” from Brașov, shows good acceptance levels from both visitors and museum staff. Given the flexibility of the implementation, the system can be used by a large array of stakeholders with minor modifications.

Suggested Citation

  • Mihai Duguleană & Victor-Alexandru Briciu & Ionuț-Alexandru Duduman & Octavian Mihai Machidon, 2020. "A Virtual Assistant for Natural Interactions in Museums," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:17:p:6958-:d:404564
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Florin Nechita & Robert Demeter & Victor-Alexandru Briciu & Sotiris Varelas & Androniki Kavoura, 2019. "Projected Destination Images Versus Visitor-Generated Visual Content in Brasov, Transylvania," Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics, in: Androniki Kavoura & Efstathios Kefallonitis & Apostolos Giovanis (ed.), Strategic Innovative Marketing and Tourism, pages 613-622, Springer.
    3. Adina Nicoleta CANDREA & Ana ISPAS, 2010. "Promoting Tourist Destinations Through Sport Events. The Case Of Brasov," Revista de turism - studii si cercetari in turism / Journal of tourism - studies and research in tourism, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Romania, Faculty of Economics and Public Administration - Economy, Business Administration and Tourism Department., vol. 10(10), pages 61-67, December.
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    1. Ravil I. Mukhamediev & Yelena Popova & Yan Kuchin & Elena Zaitseva & Almas Kalimoldayev & Adilkhan Symagulov & Vitaly Levashenko & Farida Abdoldina & Viktors Gopejenko & Kirill Yakunin & Elena Muhamed, 2022. "Review of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Technologies: Classification, Restrictions, Opportunities and Challenges," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(15), pages 1-25, July.

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