For an inaugural post for 2023, I offer predictions… made by artificial intelligence.

Last year, I predicted various events and outcomes based on my own experiences and conversations and readings (Crystal Baller and Crystal Baller, Pt 2). Those predictions, as they tend to do, varied wildly in their outcome.

We all understand that predictions and “best of” lists and ratings exist for conversation and debate. This year, however, I want artificial intelligence to manifest the debate.

Recently the emergence of the ChatGPT bot made by OpenAI stirred a lot of interest and debate itself. It is very accessible, so I thought I would test its knowledge about the field of collections management.

Before I present its predictions, I want to massively qualify the results.

• ChatGPT does not scrape information from the current internet. It derives its conclusions from information fed into it prior to 2021.

• There is very little knowledge of events after 2021. This makes it a bad predictor of events for the coming year but no less interesting or revealing.

• There is a good chance even basic facts will not be accurate.

• Sometimes I use the word “art” as a proxy for all types of collections of cultural patrimony. Typically art news sources will cover antiquities or design as well as art.

• I hope that these conclusions shed light on what information exists out there in the world already.

• How you ask the question predictably affects the outcome. I tried to ask questions in a way to solicit the greatest response.

• I have not altered the text. I have only copied and pasted it. Interpret that as you like.

Ultimately, the tool will amaze anyone in its breadth of knowledge and human-like fluidity. Further, many implications of its usage will become clear. Maybe I will write about how we might harness it for collections management.

Q. Make predictions for 2023 about the biggest issues in the art world.

I'm sorry, but as a language model, I am not able to make predictions about the future. My training data only goes up until 2021, so I don't have any information about events or developments that may take place after that year. However, I can tell you about some of the issues that have been important in the art world in the past and may continue to be important in the future.

One significant issue in the art world is the question of who gets to define what is considered "art" and who gets to decide which works are considered important or valuable. This is a complex and ongoing debate that touches on issues of cultural power, representation, and access to resources.

Another important issue is the role of technology in the creation, distribution, and consumption of art. The use of digital media and platforms has changed the way that artists create and share their work, and has also led to new questions about copyright, ownership, and the value of physical artwork.

There are also ongoing debates about the representation and representation of diverse voices in the art world, including those of marginalized communities such as people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities. This includes not only the lack of representation in the art on display, but also the lack of diversity in the institutions that present and promote art, and the barriers that can prevent artists from these communities from achieving success and recognition.

Finally, the art market and the economic factors that shape it are also a major concern for many in the art world. This includes issues related to pricing, collectors, auctions, and the role of galleries and other intermediaries in the art market.

Q. Based on 2022, would you expect more unionization in art museums in 2023?

It is not possible for me to accurately predict whether there will be more unionization in art museums in 2023, as I am a language model and do not have access to current events or information about the future.

Unionization can be a complex issue, and the decision to unionize is typically made by a group of workers who feel that it is necessary to protect their rights and interests. Factors that may influence the decision to unionize can include working conditions, pay, benefits, and other issues related to the treatment of employees.

In the art museum sector, unionization may be driven by concerns about job security, pay and benefits, and working conditions, as well as broader issues such as the representation and treatment of diverse voices and the role of art museums in their communities.

It is important to note that the decision to unionize is ultimately up to the workers themselves and is influenced by a variety of factors that may vary from museum to museum.

Q. Will the repatriation of cultural artifacts slow down in 2023?

I'm sorry, but as a language model, I am not able to make predictions about the future. My training data only goes up until 2021, so I don't have any information about events or developments that may take place after that year.

Repatriation is the process of returning cultural artifacts and objects of cultural patrimony to their country of origin or to the communities from which they were taken. This can be a complex and controversial issue, as it involves questions of ownership, cultural heritage, and the role of museums and other institutions in preserving and sharing cultural objects.

In recent years, there has been increased attention to the issue of repatriation and the ethical implications of the acquisition and display of cultural artifacts. Many museums and other institutions have established policies and guidelines for addressing repatriation claims and working with communities to address these issues.

It is not possible for me to accurately predict whether the repatriation of cultural artifacts will slow down in 2023 or in the future. The pace of repatriation can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the priorities and policies of individual museums and other institutions, as well as broader political, social, and cultural considerations

Q. Is the use of blockchain technology increasing for art?

Blockchain technology has been gaining increasing attention and adoption in the art world in recent years. One of the main ways in which blockchain is being used in the art industry is for the authentication and verification of artworks and other collectibles.

The use of blockchain technology can help to establish the provenance of an artwork, which is the record of its ownership and history. This can be useful for authenticating and valuing artworks, as well as for helping to prevent fraud and other forms of art-related crime.

Blockchain technology is also being used to create and sell non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are digital assets that use blockchain technology to create a unique, verifiable record of ownership. NFTs have gained significant attention in the art world as a way to authenticate and sell digital artworks and other digital collectibles.

Overall, it is likely that the use of blockchain technology in the art industry will continue to increase in the future, as it offers a number of potential benefits for authenticating, verifying, and selling artworks. However, it is difficult to accurately predict the extent to which this trend will continue, as it will depend on a variety of factors such as technological developments, market conditions, and cultural trends.

Q. What are the trends in artificial intelligence in the art world?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving field that is being applied in a variety of ways in the art world. Some of the main trends in AI in the art world include:

Creating art: AI algorithms are being used to create original artwork, including visual art, music, and literature. These algorithms are trained on large datasets of existing art and can generate new works that are inspired by, but not directly copied from, these datasets.

Analyzing art: AI algorithms are being used to analyze and classify artworks, and to extract information about their style, content, and other characteristics. This can be useful for art historians and other researchers who are interested in understanding how art has evolved over time and what factors influence artistic trends.

Authenticating art: AI algorithms are being used to help authenticate artworks and to identify fraudulent or counterfeit works. These algorithms can analyze the physical characteristics of an artwork, as well as its provenance (the record of its ownership and history), to help determine its authenticity.

Collecting and selling art: AI algorithms are being used to help collectors and dealers find and evaluate artworks for purchase, and to help sellers market and price their art.

Overall, AI is a rapidly evolving field, and it is likely that it will continue to have an impact on the art world in the future. However, it is difficult to predict exactly how AI will be used in the art world in the future, as it will depend on technological developments and cultural trends.

Q. What issues do museums outside of the United States face?

Museums around the world face a variety of issues and challenges, many of which are similar to those faced by museums in the United States. Some of the main issues that museums outside of the United States may face include:

Funding: Like their counterparts in the United States, many museums outside of the country rely on a combination of public and private funding to support their operations and programming. Museums may face challenges in securing stable and sufficient funding, especially in times of economic uncertainty or budget cuts.

Collection management: Museums are responsible for caring for and preserving the objects in their collections, which can be a challenging and expensive task. Museums may face issues related to storage, conservation, and documentation of their collections, as well as decisions about what objects to acquire and deaccession.

Community engagement: Museums play an important role in their communities, and many strive to be inclusive and relevant to the diverse populations they serve. Museums may face challenges in engaging with their communities and ensuring that their programming and collections reflect the interests and needs of their visitors.

Ethics and cultural heritage: Museums are often custodians of important cultural and historical objects, and they may face ethical and legal issues related to the acquisition, display, and repatriation of these objects. Museums may also face challenges in addressing the legacy of colonialism and other forms of cultural appropriation, and in respecting the cultural heritage of the communities they serve.

Technology: Like their counterparts in the United States, museums outside of the country are increasingly using technology to support their operations, create and share content, and engage with their audiences. Museums may face challenges in adopting and adapting to new technologies, as well as in addressing issues related to data privacy and security.

In the end, I could ask other questions but tried to just get some highlights as this is already long. Please, let me know if you have your own experiences with the AI as well as the results.