Issue 110: Insta Google Search results
Google has announced that Instagram posts will now appear in Google Search results.
Welcome to issue 109 of Digital Things, by Alec Ward. Don't mind me, just here to deliver your monthly(ish) order of digital news for the arts and culture sector. Sure it’s rarely delivered on schedule, but at least it’s (fairly) fresh.
Don’t forget to check out and subscribe to The Digital Snapshot (also free, also put together by me, more frequently with more in-depth insights).
Something good
Pretty bloody cool that the Museum of English Rural Life's new podcast 'Absolute Units' was a Radio Times' pick of best audio on demand.
Web and social
I love a smart use of a platform's posting mechanics and this one on Bluesky by The Mary Rose Museum really scratched that itch.
I've been thoroughly enjoying the Instagram content from the Cosby Library. Sure it's silly, but it makes me feel good. This video of theirs went viral recently.
Super useful LinkedIn post by Tech Champion Nicola Barratt, covering the recent news that Instagram posts will be featured in Google Search results from this month.
Wondering what the optimal lengths for short form video are in 2025? This resource from Dan Slee has you covered.
Digital culture activities, experiences, projects
Arts Council England have released a 'Responsible AI Practical Toolkit'. The toolkit is designed to help you take a thoughtful and collaborative approach to building AI policies and practices that match your organisation’s purpose.
There was a recent long discussion on the Museums Computer Group discussion list about AI bots slowing down and knocking out cultural heritage websites.
Here's a great report from the British Council on digital cultural heritage, focusing on imaginations, innovation and opportunity.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have warned that there are significant weaknesses in the tools protecting artists' work from AI.
This is a very interesting project from the British Museum and the Alan Turing Institute, looking to use AI to analyse and understand visitors' behaviour and feedback.
Technology / digital news
I like saying please and thank you to the AI tools that I use, but the CEO of ChatGPT has admitted that using pleasantries in your prompts is wasting 'millions of dollars in computing power'.
The ongoing dispute between Getty Images and Stability AI is a really useful case to keep an eye on, as it could shape copyright licensing in the AI age, as well as inform reforms to UK copyright law.
Microsoft recently announced up to 9,000 job cuts as it invests in AI. An Xbox Executive Producer gave some somewhat insensitive advice to those affected by the job losses.
Resources, reports, development opportunities
The recordings from last year's Museums + Tech conference are now online, including this great talk from our Consultant Director, Anra Kennedy, focusing on the long-view of digital storytelling in the sector.
This is a useful beginner-friendly guide to WCAG website accessibility standards - split out by success criterions.
This new report from Glam-e lab on AI bots impact on digital cultural heritage is incredibly timely.
What I’m…
📺 Watching: I’ve just finished watching the most recent series of Taskmaster on Channel 4. Honestly, I think it was their best one yet. The cast for this season were excellent, a fantastic mix of funny, chaotic and endearing people. Well worth a watch.
🎮 Playing: I’ve recently been playing a bit of Rematch - a Rocket League style football game. It’s a little janky, but overall I’m really enjoying it. My wife and I also finally finished Baulder’s Gate 3 and then we almost immediately started a new game with different characters, to try a less savoury play-through. We mostly erred towards Chaotic Good, but we want to give Chaotic Evil a try.
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