Key Facts
• Hamamatsu Museum created an AI chatbot using a 2022 special exhibition catalog.
• The chatbot answers questions based on the catalog, not random online sources.
• The exhibition was titled ‘The Battle of Mikatagahara and the Legacy of Ieyasu.’
• Collaboration involved Shizuoka University and NX Onebishi Archives from Tokyo.
• Example: The chatbot explains the ‘Shikami Statue’ as a later anecdote, not historical evidence.
• The app is in trial phase, debuting at the ‘Sengoku Expo’ on August 31, 2025.
• Museum director Kazuo Suzuki aims to refine the app based on visitor feedback.
• Associate Professor Masakage Murano highlights limited distribution of exhibition catalogs.
• Murano emphasizes digital transformation as a key focus for museums.
• The project tests the potential of past exhibition catalogs for broader use.
Summary
Hamamatsu Museum has developed an AI chatbot that uses the 2022 special exhibition catalog, ‘The Battle of Mikatagahara and the Legacy of Ieyasu,’ as its knowledge base. Unlike traditional AI systems, it avoids random online sources, providing accurate, catalog-based answers. The project, a collaboration with Shizuoka University and NX Onebishi Archives, aims to digitally transform museum operations and address the limited distribution of exhibition catalogs. Currently in its trial phase, the chatbot will debut at the ‘Sengoku Expo’ on August 31, 2025. Museum director Kazuo Suzuki plans to refine the app based on visitor feedback, while Associate Professor Masakage Murano views this initiative as a critical step in leveraging digital tools for museum innovation.
