MonuMAI

Description

MonuMAI is a citizen science project organized by Fundación Descubre and the University of Granada, that offers the opportunity to get closer to the artistic heritage. Combining art, mathematics, artificial intelligence and social communication of science. It was launched as pilot experience in the framework of the European Researchers’ Night in Andalusia.

Aim

The aim of this format was, with the help of citizen-participants, to train an algorithm and teach it to identify architectural styles from an image.

In addition, these events allow the organisers to question the participants whether they prefer certain architectural trends and the look of certain geometric principles over others. This event also allows participants to appreciate the beauty of mathematics, and how maths is used in architecture.

This project requires a long-term collaboration and a multidisciplinary team of experts, including people who are knowledgeable in Mathematics, Art, Artificial Intelligence, Citizen Science and Social Communication of Science.

How to participate

• Train the algorithm to start recognizing new architectural styles (or what ever you want the app to investigate)
• Communicate with volunteers (your Citizen Scientists) and get them to download the associated app which is connected to your bespoke algorithm. This will be how users will upload new data. In this instance, it was the MonuMAI app. 
• Upload images and wait for the data to be analysed by the MonuMAI app system.
• The MonuMAI app uses Artificial Intelligence, which automatically recognizes the architectural styles present in the images. The algorithm uses a Deep Learning process that allows the system to be autonomous and improve with use.
• The photo will be added to the database and will be used in the project by researchers.
• Promote the experiment on mass media and social networks.

Equipment