In grandma’s attic, in the second-hand shop or in a museum – no matter where you are, you should be able to get answers about porcelain objects from Rörstrand with the help of the new AI service that Rörstrand Museum is currently developing.

In 2022, a pilot project was carried out where Rörstrand museum together with the research institute RISE developed an AI-based automated assistant to answer questions about porcelain objects from Rörstrand. During the evaluation of the project, it was found that the model gives promising results, but requires more work for it to work well in all scenarios. The initial project was fully financed by the Västra Götaland region’s cultural board.

In the next stage, the service will be further developed in order to be launched to the end user. Both the Västra Götaland region and the National Antiquities Authority contribute funds for continued research and development of the project. By adding data, engaging end users and making technical improvements and investigations, the hope is to deliver an AI service that will make it easier for users on mobile phones, in museums, among boxes in grandma’s attic and in the second hand store. Rörstrand Museum must be available where the visitor is.

Every year, Rörstrand Museum receives approximately 1,500 porcelain questions. It has gone from being questions sent by post with developed photos to being sent by email with an attached image, which means that the number of questions has increased. The museum’s collections contain approximately 18,000 objects, of which approximately 5,000 are digitized. In other words, extensive work is required to find answers in the museum’s archives, magazines, searches in books and digitally. With the current method, it is also “only” the person who asked the question who gets to see the answer.

Image recognition should provide relevant answers.
By the user uploading or taking a picture with their phone, the AI tool analyzes the picture and can provide answers about porcelain objects manufactured by Rörstrand. Questions about the object’s year, artist, decor and object type are examples of what the AI service should be able to answer.

The goal is for the project to create a user-friendly service where visitors, regardless of where they are, can ask questions about porcelain objects manufactured by Rörstrand and receive relevant answers immediately. The goal is for the project to create a user-friendly service where visitors, regardless of where they are, can ask questions about porcelain objects manufactured by Rörstrand and receive relevant answers immediately. AI-tjänsten är ett sätt att öka tillgängligheten till samlingarna och stärka den roll som kunskapsbank som museet ska ha, och samtidigt ta till vara på det stora engagemang och kompetens som finns hos porslinssamlare. It is hoped that the service will be available on Rörstrand Museum’s website in early 2024.