At the latest Brussels Art Fair (BRAFA), Galerie Hioco and Ask Mona joined forces to unveil a groundbreaking AI-powered cultural mediation tool. This marks the first time such an advanced conversational AI has been deployed directly on a gallery stand at a major international art fair.

This collaboration represents a significant milestone in the evolution of art world technology, exploring new ways to foster dialogue between masterpieces, diverse audiences, and contemporary innovation.

A Premiere on the International Art Market

In the high-stakes environment of BRAFA, Galerie Hioco chose to pioneer the use of conversational AI to enhance the visitor experience. The tool was specifically designed to accompany the discovery of ancient artworks without compromising their historical complexity or depth.

• Seamless Access: A web app accessible instantly via QR code (no download required).
• Multilingual Engagement: Visitors can interact with the artwork through text or voice in English, French, and Dutch.
• User-Centric Design: A fluid experience tailored to the pace and curiosity of every individual collector and enthusiast.

A Bridge Between Ancient Heritage and Cutting-Edge Tech

The pilot project centers on an iconic piece: a Gandhara Buddha, a sculpture dating back to the early centuries of our era. This choice serves as a symbolic meeting point between ancient heritage and modern innovation.

The artificial intelligence is powered by a rigorous documentary database, curated and validated by the gallery. It functions as a sophisticated tool for cultural transmission, supporting the understanding of the artworks without ever replacing scholarly discourse or market expertise.

Personalized, Accessible, and High-Standard Mediation

Throughout the fair, the AI provides personalized answers based on the visitor's level of knowledge and specific interests. By doing so, technology becomes a vector for engagement, fostering a more intimate connection with the art while upholding the high standards of the antiquities and fine art market.

"This partnership with Galerie Hioco is a key milestone for Ask Mona. Our ambition has always been to make art more accessible, vibrant, and intelligible without denaturing it. Here, AI is not a gadget but a mediation tool serving the works, the artists, and the public. With Hioco, we share the same conviction: technology can be a powerful lever to renew how we look at art and create a deeper relationship with our heritage."— Valentin Schmite, CEO of Ask Mona

A Shared Vision for Cultural Innovation

For Galerie Hioco, this initiative opens new horizons for engaging with BRAFA’s international audience and affirms a commitment to modernizing cultural mediation formats.

"Through this partnership, we demonstrate that when AI is rigorously designed and documented, it becomes an extraordinary tool for transmission and dialogue in service of our heritage."— Christophe Hioco, Founder and Director of Galerie Hioco

Shaping the Future of the Gallery Experience

Beyond the immediate visitor experience, this project contributes to a broader reflection on responsible AI in the arts. At BRAFA, Galerie Hioco and Ask Mona are redefining the gallery experience, where technology serves as a bridge for understanding and a catalyst for human-to-artwork connection.

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