JOB REPORT / 25-4012 · 15 TASKS
Curators.
Can AI do the work of Curators?
Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.
YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS
How does this fit your work?
How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?
Drag the dot. There’s no wrong answer; it starts at our estimate.
The mark shows what’s typical for this job.
The parts of your job AI can already do most of:
- Develop and maintain an institution's registration, cataloging, and basic…
- Arrange insurance coverage for objects on loan or…
- Establish specifications for reproductions and oversee their manufacture…
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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Curators work. It covers the 13 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.
WHAT WE LOOKED AT
Your job, task by task.
13/ 1513 of 15 tasks reviewed
This job has 15 core tasks. We went through 13 of them, one at a time.
Task by task, from the work Curators actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.
- TASK 01
Develop and maintain an institution's registration, cataloging, and basic record-keeping systems, using computer databases.
AI DOESSuggests tags, fills standard fields, flags duplicates, and searches across large record sets
YOU DODecide how to describe and classify unique objects based on deep subject knowledge
- TASK 02
Arrange insurance coverage for objects on loan or for special exhibits and recommend changes in coverage for the entire collection.
AI DOESDrafts coverage comparisons, flags gaps in existing policies, and summarizes object valuation data
YOU DONegotiate terms with insurers and make final coverage decisions based on institutional risk judgment
- TASK 03
Establish specifications for reproductions and oversee their manufacture or select items from commercially available replica sources.
AI DOESDrafts specification documents, researches vendors, and compares replica sources online
YOU DOInspect physical samples and judge whether reproductions meet authentic quality standards
- TASK 04
Design, organize, or conduct tours, workshops, and instructional or educational sessions to acquaint individuals with an institution's facilities and materials.
AI DOESDrafts tour scripts, suggests themes, organizes talking points, and creates educational materials
YOU DOShow up in person, read your audience, and bring the collection to life through real connection
- TASK 05
Confer with the board of directors to formulate and interpret policies, to determine budget requirements, and to plan overall operations.
AI DOESDrafts policy options, summarizes budget data, and prepares talking points for board meetings
YOU DOLead the actual conversation, build relationships, and make judgment calls with the board
- TASK 06
Negotiate and authorize purchase, sale, exchange, or loan of collections.
AI DOESDrafts offer letters, summarizes contract terms, researches item values, and flags legal considerations
YOU DOBuild relationships, read the room, and sign off on final deals
- TASK 07
Train and supervise curatorial, fiscal, technical, research, and clerical staff, as well as volunteers or interns.
AI DOESDrafts training materials, onboarding guides, and performance review templates
YOU DOBuild trust, read people, and make real-time calls about team needs
- TASK 08SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Study, examine, and test acquisitions to authenticate their origin, composition, history, and to assess their current value.
AI DOESAnalyzes materials and cross-references provenance records
YOU DOJudge authenticity and final value
About this analysis
39% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
- TASK 09SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Plan and organize the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of collections and related materials, including the selection of exhibition themes and designs, and develop or install exhibit materials.
AI DOESGenerates exhibit layouts and suggests thematic connections
YOU DOChoose what stories to tell and why
About this analysis
34% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
- TASK 10SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Provide information from the institution's holdings to other curators and to the public.
AI DOESSearches databases and generates information summaries
YOU DOChoose what matters and tell the story
About this analysis
32% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
- TASK 11SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Schedule events and organize details, including refreshment, entertainment, decorations, and the collection of any fees.
AI DOESSuggests vendors, tracks RSVPs, and manages timelines
YOU DOChoose the vibe and handle tricky requests
About this analysis
29% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
- TASK 12SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Write and review grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials.
AI DOESDrafts sections and suggests improvements to structure
YOU DOShape the story and ensure it persuades
About this analysis
27% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
- TASK 13SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.
AI DOESGathers sources and drafts initial analysis
YOU DODesign the questions and judge what's true
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
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