Tampa museum debuts AI exhibit to demystify artificial intelligence for families

The Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) in Tampa will debut “AI: Your Mind and The Machine,” a new exhibit exploring artificial intelligence’s historical presence in everyday life through interactive displays and educational content. The family-friendly exhibit aims to demystify AI technology and demonstrate how it enhances rather than threatens human capabilities, opening September 6 with regular museum admission.

What you should know: The exhibit traces AI’s evolution from early gaming systems to modern applications across multiple industries.

• Classic games like Pong and Simon serve as examples of early AI implementations, showing how pattern recognition technology has been part of entertainment for decades.
• Interactive displays demonstrate AI’s current integration in facial recognition, voice recognition, and movie production, revealing the technology’s widespread but often invisible presence.
• The exhibit specifically targets intergenerational learning, designed to help families understand AI together regardless of their technical background.

Why this matters: MOSI’s educational approach addresses growing public anxiety about AI by focusing on practical applications rather than speculative fears.

• The exhibit directly confronts common concerns about job displacement, positioning AI as a tool for enhancement rather than replacement.
• By showcasing AI’s long history in familiar technologies, the museum helps visitors recognize they’ve been successfully coexisting with artificial intelligence for years.

What they’re saying: Museum educators emphasize the exhibit’s role in bridging knowledge gaps about AI technology.

• “What is this AI and how does it work and is it going to take over my job. No, we want you to come out and see how AI can enhance your life and let the family learn together,” said Janet White, MOSI’s director of education.

Key details: The exhibit officially opens September 6 and requires no additional fees beyond standard MOSI admission, making AI education accessible to Tampa-area families and visitors.