Mediating Cultural Messages through Technology: A Case Study of the Paras Nusantara Program in the National Museum of Indonesia

Museums increasingly adopt interactive technologies such as gamification to communicate complex historical and cultural messages in ways that are accessible to the public. In response to the growing need for more engaging and inclusive cultural education, the National Museum of Indonesia has introduced Paras Nusantara, an innovative program that merges artificial intelligence (AI) with historical portraiture to foster public awareness of Indonesia’s rich ethnic diversity. "Paras Nusantara," which translates to "Faces of the Archipelago," utilizes AI-driven facial recognition to match visitors’ facial features with one of 78 ethnographic portraits created by artist Raden Mas Pirngadie in 1935. By transforming traditional museum collections into interactive digital experiences, Paras Nusantara provides a compelling example of how technology can simplify complex cultural messages and make them accessible to a broader audience. This initiative not only highlights Indonesia’s pluralistic identity but also invites visitors, especially younger generations, to engage more deeply with their heritage through the lens of technology and storytelling.