Curator, collector, and entrepreneur Lukas Amacher, in partnership with developer David Simon, has launched CONTXT, an A.I.-powered chatbot platform designed for art exhibitions. The software allows visitors to ask questions about artworks via a chat interface, with answers sourced directly from an institution's curated materials like catalog essays and curator notes, rather than generic internet searches. The platform is currently being tested in a public preview with bitforms gallery.
The development of CONTXT represents a significant shift in how museums and galleries can mediate the visitor experience, particularly for smaller institutions with limited staff. By providing real-time, context-specific information and analytics on visitor engagement, the tool aims to democratize access to curatorial insight and deepen public understanding of art, potentially reshaping the educational and interpretive functions of art institutions.