Artificial Intelligence Meets Biodiversity Science: Mining Museum Labels

Artificial intelligence (AI) methods hold great potential for the digitization and data extraction of natural history collections, as well as for generating collection-based, FAIR research data. Realizing this potential requires robust technical workflows, interdisciplinary expertise, and appropriate funding structures.

As part of the pilot project KIEBIDS – a collaboration between the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin and the ECO AI LAB („KI-Ideenwerkstatt für Umweltschutz“), an initiative of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) – an open-source framework was developed to extract biodiversity-relevant information from collection labels. The goal is to facilitate the use of historical data resources in biodiversity research and environmental protection.
More information about the project is available at: https://www.ki-ideenwerkstatt.de/unterstuetzung-materialien/pilotprojekte/mit-ki-verborgene-schaetze-entdecken/

The webinar will present the project and its key outcomes. Short talks will provide context on data extraction from natural history collections and collection-based biodiversity research. Participants are invited to discuss requirements, application areas, and future perspectives for AI-driven extraction of environmentally relevant information from historical documents.

Programme overview

• Welcome and introduction of the project
• Brief presentation of the ECO AI LAB
• Expert input from the museum, AI development and collection management
• Project presentation: The KIEBIDS framework in detail
• Open discussion on perspectives, challenges and potentials
• Dialogue with participants

Following the online session, participants will have the opportunity to join an onsite guided tour of the butterfly collection at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (15:00 – 16:00). The tour offers hands-on insights into collection work, the challenges of digitizing historical labels, and the chance to speak directly with staff from the Museum and the AI Innovation Lab.

Language: English

PLEASE REGISTER HERE

Picture: Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Margot Belot