Qatar Museum Joins Microsoft For XR, AI Overhaul

The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) Signs Deal with Microsoft to Accelerate Its Digital Transformation

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Published: June 2, 2021

Demond Cureton

The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) announced last week it had inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US tech giant Microsoft to facilitate its plans for digital transformation.

The MoU aims to facilitate the launch of “smart exhibits” which will combine artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality, and virtual reality (VR/AR) exhibitions. The deal will work jointly with Microsoft’s AI digital centre to improve digital learning at schools and for families.

Ahmad Musa al-Namla, Chief Executive of Qatari Museums, said:

“Enhancing Qatar Museums’ (QM) digital technologies has always been a key part of our audience strategy but events over the last eighteen months mean we have accelerated our efforts. New ways of using AI, augmented and virtual reality will ensure QM maintains its role in preserving our heritage and culture while providing global audiences with access to see and experience our exhibitions”

Shiekha Amna bint Abdulaziz bin Jassim al-Thani, NMoQ Director, added the co-innovation project with Microsoft would allow the NMoQ to accelerate its “vision of being an emitting museum” to share with audiences the new platform for “engaging and learning.”

According to her, the emerging technologies could “enliven museums for visitors and immerse them in heritagae landscapes and collections as never seen before.”

She added the partnership would allow the NMoQ to “transcend museum walls, nurture emerging talents in schools and create novel, joint-training opportunities that bridge museums and technology.”

Lana Khalaf, Microsoft Qatar Country Manager, said she was proud the partnership would help “create unique immersive experiences for all and anywhere showcasing the pride and great Qatar cultural heritage to the world.”

Further plans to migrate NMoQ to Microsoft Cloud will also allow the museum to use tools such as Minecraft, Paint 3D, and Microsoft Teams to educate visitors, the Gulf Times reported.

Additional workshops will boost the presence of AR, VR, and MR solutions for the museum, and the partnership will further train employees in Qatar in vital digital skills.

The news comes weeks after the Art of London opened an “Augmented Gallery” exhibition in London in early May, allowing visitors to view masterpieces across London’s West End on their mobile devices.

The exhibition is a joint partnership between the Heart of London Business Alliance, the National Gallery, the Royal Academy of Arts, National Portrait Gallery, Sky Arts, and creative agency Premier.

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