This paper examines whether museums are prepared to function as Open Science infrastructures within European digital knowledge ecosystems. While many institutions have digitised their collections, digital visibility does not necessarily translate into interoperability, reusability, or readiness for AI-driven research. The study proposes a conceptual shift from the “digitised museum” to the “museum as knowledge infrastructure,” arguing that scholarly reuse and responsible AI integration begins with data structures, licensing frameworks, and governance practices rather than algorithms alone.

The research combines three components: (1) a longitudinal infrastructure analysis (2024–2026) of 131 Polish museums listed in the State Register of Museums, assessing interoperability, metadata standards, licensing, persistent identifiers, APIs, and Linked Open Data; (2) an organizational survey investigating institutional culture, Open Science practices, and AI awareness; and (3) the development of the Museum Infrastructure Readiness Index (MIRI), an exploratory composite indicator synthesizing infrastructural and governance dimensions.

Preliminary findings from the first research wave reveal significant structural gaps, particularly in Linked Open Data implementation and machine-readable metadata, despite widespread digitisation. The second wave evaluates infrastructural change and institutional responses to evolving European regulatory frameworks.

Rather than presupposing fixed typologies, the study explores whether recurring patterns of infrastructural engagement can be empirically identified. By situating museums within debates on interoperability, FAIR principles, and AI governance, the paper contributes to ongoing discussions in European Digital Humanities about how cultural institutions can move beyond digital presentation toward functioning as responsible, reusable, and ethically grounded research infrastructures.