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Bridging Technology and Tradition: ICDI Dean Highlights AI’s Role in Preserving Regional Heritage

7 July 2025
International College of Digital Innovation
Representatives from the International College of Digital Innovation (ICDI), Chiang Mai University, were honored to participate in the landmark China-ASEAN Dialogue on AI and Cultural Heritage—a high-level conference that brought together over 100 experts, policymakers, and innovators from ASEAN countries and China. Held from 3–5 July in Nanning, China, the event served as a dynamic platform to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in safeguarding and revitalizing cultural heritage across the region.

ICDI Dean, Asst. Prof. Dr. Rujira Ouncharoen, delivered a keynote presentation titled "AI and Cultural Heritage in the China-ASEAN Context," highlighting how machine learning, digital archiving, and immersive technologies can help address pressing challenges in heritage conservation. Her presentation featured:
• Case studies on AI-driven restoration of ancient Lanna manuscripts in Northern Thailand
• Policy recommendations for cross-border data sharing to protect transnational heritage sites
• Ongoing ICDI projects, including partnerships with Yunnan University to digitize cultural artifacts from the Mekong River Basin

“The fusion of AI and cultural preservation is not just about technology—it’s about empowering communities to reclaim their narratives,” said Dr. Rujira. “This dialogue marks a critical step toward regional collaboration in the digital age.”

The conference also featured immersive field visits to the Port of the Maritime Silk Road and the Mangrove Ecological Center. Delegates explored how AI-powered logistics systems could draw inspiration from historical trade routes to enhance modern economic cooperation, while also discussing eco-conservation technologies applicable to ASEAN coastal heritage sites.

“These sites symbolize the enduring ties between China and ASEAN,” noted Dr. Zhai Fan, an ICDI expert. “They remind us that sustainable development must be rooted in cultural and ecological wisdom.”

The dialogue yielded concrete opportunities for ICDI, including:
• A proposed China-ASEAN AI Heritage Network, with ICDI as a founding member
• Pending partnerships with Guangxi University for Nationalities and Southeast Asian cultural ministries to digitize endangered heritage
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