The 2025 forum theme, ‘The Mind That Creates: Artificial Intelligence and Humans in the Museum Narrative,’ addressed the rapid integration of AI into everyday life. NEMO Secretary General Julia Pagel opened the forum with reflections on change in the museum sector today. She emphasised that:
- AI is reshaping not only museum practice, but also how people access knowledge, form opinions, and understand culture.
- Technology must be approached not merely as a tool of efficiency, but as a space of responsibility and opportunity.
- Museums, with their traditions of trust, care, and public service, have a vital role in ensuring that technological transformation strengthens rather than undermines digital democracies.
- In an AI-driven world, the power of museums lies in shaping how technologies serve society - with ethics, openness, creativity, and connection.
Pagel also highlighted the importance of continuing these conversations at the European level. She announced that the NEMO European Museum Conference will take place in Vilnius from 11-15 October 2026, inviting Lithuania’s museum community to join colleagues from across Europe in deepening the dialogue on change, technology, and the future of museums. NEMO also had the opportunity to visit several of the 2026 venues and get to know the hosts at the Lithuanian Museums Association.
