What happens when cutting-edge technology meets cultural heritage in the heart of Turin? On April 16-17, 2026, the META-MUSEUM project took center stage at Biennale Tecnologia, joining the “Politecnico Aperto” initiative. The event took place at the headquarters of Politecnico di Torino, where the POLITO and VILNIUS TECH teams worked side-by-side to present our latest research and results to the public, ranging from fellow scientists to curious citizens and, most importantly, many young people and students.
Measuring the Invisible
The atmosphere was electric with curiosity. The highlight of our showcase was the live testing of the M4 system, an innovative tool currently being developed by our partners at VILNIUS TECH. We conducted over 60 real-time tests, measuring the emotional responses of participants as they engaged with brief cultural experiences. Seeing the “invisible” data of human emotion transform in real time into measurable insights was a breakthrough moment, proving how technology can help us understand the profound impact of culture on our well-being.
Facing Our Fears
But we didn’t stop at biometrics. Our interactive activity, “Measure Your Fears” invited over 100 participants to reflect on contemporary challenges. Based on an online survey launched during the early months of the project, we asked visitors to rate their individual and collective fears on a scale from 1 to 5.
The results were eye-opening. By identifying which societal pressures feel most urgent to European citizens, META-MUSEUM can better define how Cultural Heritage can act as a support system, helping people face the future with greater confidence and resilience.
Engaging the Next Generation
One of the most rewarding aspects of the event was the demographic shift we witnessed. The data speaks for itself: 50% of our participants were under 30, with nearly 80% falling into the under-26 age bracket.
Many of these young students admitted to feeling disconnected from traditional museums or heritage sites. Through these interactive experiments, we didn’t just present a project; we started a conversation. We reached a “hard-to-engage” audience, fulfilling one of META-MUSEUM’s core missions: making culture relevant, accessible, and exciting for the citizens of tomorrow.
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