UNESCO Cairo Explores AI’s Role in Transforming Arab Cultural Heritage
CAIRO, Oct 2025 – Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping the cultural landscape of the Arab region, offering new ways to preserve, interpret, and create cultural heritage. From January to June 2025, the UNESCO Cairo Office hosted a six-month webinar series, “Artificial Intelligence and Culture: A Lead-up Activity to MONDIACULT 2025,” engaging over 400 participants and around 40 regional and global experts. Participants included officials from Ministries of Culture, Tourism, and ICT, university representatives, museum professionals, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, diplomatic missions, and local NGOs.
AI Across Six Cultural Domains
The series examined AI’s transformative impact across six thematic areas:
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AI and Documentary Heritage – 21 Jan 2025
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AI and Intangible Cultural Heritage – 21 Feb 2025
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AI and Underwater Cultural Heritage – 27 Mar 2025
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AI and Cultural and Creative Industries – 29 Apr 2025
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AI and the Protection of Cultural Property in Emergencies – 27 May 2025
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AI and World Heritage Sites – 19 Jun 2025
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AI and Culture in the Arab Region: Regional Vision from Cairo – 25 Jun 2025
These sessions aligned with UNESCO’s international conventions and frameworks, including the 2003 Intangible Heritage Convention, the 2001 Underwater Cultural Heritage Convention, the 1972 World Heritage Convention, and others, emphasizing ethical, inclusive, and future-ready cultural governance in the digital era.
Culminating Session: Regional Vision from Cairo
The series concluded with a hybrid workshop on 25 June 2025, titled “AI and Culture in the Arab Region: Regional Vision from Cairo.” Over 80 policymakers, researchers, and cultural professionals convened to articulate strategies for harnessing AI to support cultural sustainability, education, and innovation. The session highlighted practical examples of AI applications in heritage preservation, creative industries, and policy-making across the region.
Strategic Contribution to MONDIACULT 2025
Building on the series’ insights, the UNESCO Cairo Office will soon release “Artificial Intelligence and Culture: A Contribution from UNESCO Office in Cairo to MONDIACULT 2025.” The publication will document emerging practices, regional initiatives, and models of international collaboration, serving as a strategic input to MONDIACULT 2025. The report reinforces UNESCO Cairo’s role in guiding responsible and innovative digital transformation within the cultural sector in the Arab region.
