How Generative AI Revived Museum Specimens at Naturalis

Bringing Naturalis’ Specimens to Life: A Journey with Generative AI

A Whim That Sparked an Idea

It all started with a spur-of-the-moment visit to the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, a place I had never been before. Wandering through its impressive collection of animal specimens — static and perfectly preserved — I found myself awestruck by the sheer variety and detail. Yet, as I marveled at these creatures frozen in time, I couldn’t help but wonder: What would these animals look like in motion, in the wild, where they truly belong?

This curiosity quickly evolved into inspiration, drawing upon my background in Generative AI. What if I could breathe digital life into these static specimens? What if, using the power of AI-assisted animation, I could see them move again? Here is a small sample of some specimens that I’ve brought to live with the help of GenAI:

The Process: From Static Specimens to Animated Life

With my newfound idea, I photographed several specimens during my visit, focusing on capturing the essence of their forms and details. Armed with these images, I returned home and set to work using Generative AI tools to create animations that would bring the animals to life and then upscaled the animations to 4K resolution.

The results were fascinating: a bird gracefully flying through the air, a big cat prowling as it might in the jungle, and even small insects buzzing with the liveliness they once had in nature. It felt as though I had cracked open a new door in the way we can experience museums. The static displays transformed into dynamic, living experiences.

Use Cases for Museums Like Naturalis

The possibilities for this approach extend far beyond just an exciting personal experiment. Bringing museum specimens to life through Generative AI opens up a whole range of potential applications, especially for museums like Naturalis.

1. Interactive Experiences

Imagine walking through a museum exhibit, but instead of looking at animals frozen in time, you could use augmented reality (AR) to see them moving as they once did in the wild. Visitors could hold up their phones or AR glasses and see the majestic stride of a lion or the wingspan of a soaring eagle. This would deepen the engagement, turning a passive experience into an interactive and educational one.

2. Social Media Marketing

Museums rely heavily on their social media presence to engage with the public and attract visitors. Generative AI animations of the specimens could be used in marketing campaigns, creating visually captivating content that stands out. Imagine a time-lapsed video of a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, animated from one of the museum’s preserved specimens. These dynamic visuals could spark curiosity and drive more traffic to museum exhibitions.

3. Virtual Exhibits

As museums continue to digitize their collections, AI-driven animations could become part of virtual museum tours. During COVID-19, we saw a surge in online exhibitions and virtual tours. Now, even as in-person visits are picking up again, the demand for digital content remains strong. Museums could offer paid or free online experiences where viewers not only see the specimens but watch them “come alive” in the digital realm, bridging the gap between history and modern technology.

4. Educational Content

For educational purposes, animating specimens could enhance learning tools for schools and universities. A biology lesson on animal behavior would be far more engaging with AI-assisted videos showing extinct animals moving as they once did, helping students visualize and connect with the subject matter. Museums could offer this as part of an educational outreach package to schools, giving them a competitive edge in the academic world.

Expanding the Vision: Additional Use Cases for Museums

While my experiment focused on animals, this technology has broader potential for museums and other cultural institutions:

• Historical Reconstructions: Beyond natural history, Generative AI can bring historical figures or ancient civilizations back to life, re-creating scenes from historical events or architectural marvels.

• Augmenting Art Exhibitions: In art museums, static paintings or sculptures could be animated to show the creative process or an artist’s evolving style. Imagine Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” subtly transforming, allowing visitors to see the painting in motion.

• Cultural Storytelling: For museums focusing on anthropology or archaeology, Generative AI could simulate traditional dances, rituals, or other cultural practices, offering deeper immersion into different societies and their histories.

A Glimpse into the Future

My small project with Naturalis’ specimens is just the tip of the iceberg. With the continuing advancement of Generative AI, museums around the world have a unique opportunity to revolutionize how we experience the past. They can transform from being mere preservers of history to active participants in the re-animation of it.

As technology continues to evolve, the boundary between the digital and physical worlds will blur even more. For museums, this is not just an opportunity but a necessity to keep up with the ever-changing expectations of modern audiences. Generative AI could be the key to unlocking that next frontier.