The National Gallery Singapore has introduced G(ai)le, an AI-powered docent designed to help visitors engage with Southeast Asian art in more intuitive and personalised ways, Microsoft stated in a press release.
Developed in collaboration with NCS and powered by Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service, G(ai)le offers conversational, culturally relevant insights tailored to individual visitor preferences. The system can respond to personal prompts and retain information about visitor interests to personalise future interactions.
More than a tool for delivering historical facts, G(ai)le aims to make art more relatable. For instance, if a visitor mentions an interest in Taylor Swift, the AI might draw parallels between the pop artist’s career and an artwork on display. Similarly, references to K-pop may shape how the docent frames artistic discussions, offering familiar cultural touchpoints.
The AI docent supports Singapore’s four official languages–English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil–and also recognises Singlish. Accessibility features include high-contrast display modes, a dyslexia-friendly typeface, audio-only responses, and an ‘eyes-up mode’ designed to reduce screen dependency and keep the focus on the artworks.
Behind the scenes, G(ai)le also supports museum staff by generating content adapted for different audiences, including children, general visitors, and academic researchers.
‘It takes effort to make art accessible, engaging, and relevant. That’s where technology comes in,’ said Ryan Ho, Head of Innovation and Experience Design at the National Gallery Singapore. ‘Our innovation initiatives focus on helping visitors experience and connect with art in more intuitive and personal ways.’
‘At NCS, we harness technology to revolutionise how people connect with art and culture. As the innovation partner of National Gallery Singapore, we are enhancing the museum experience with cutting-edge solutions like GenAI and our proprietary Automated Speech Recognition (ASR) to personalize visitor experiences, making art more accessible and immersive,’ added Wynthia Goh, Senior Partner, Global NEXT at NCS.
Housed in the restored former City Hall and Supreme Court buildings, the National Gallery Singapore manages the world’s largest public collection of modern art from Singapore and Southeast Asia. Covering over 64,000 square metres, the Gallery is positioned as a cultural institution redefining how art is experienced and shared with the public.