Sharjah Institute for Heritage deploys AI to safeguard national identity

The Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH) convened a specialised workshop at its Kalba branch on Wednesday, 19 August, to establish protocols for using artificial intelligence in the preservation of Emirati cultural assets. The session, titled "Artificial Intelligence and Its Role in Strengthening National Identity," focused on deploying digital tools to safeguard historical data against rapid global digitisation. Digital tools for heritage preservation Jamila Mohammed Abdullah, who led the session, detailed specific AI applications currently available for cultural documentation. The workshop highlighted how machine learning and digital archiving can be used to modernise heritage preservation while ensuring that national values remain central to the process. The initiative addresses the specific challenge of maintaining the visibility of local identity on global digital platforms. Participants at the Kalba branch examined how AI-driven tools could be utilised to archive oral histories, digitise physical artefacts, and create interactive educational content that promotes national identity to younger generations. The discussion focused on the practical integration of these technologies within the existing framework of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage. Long-term cultural strategy This workshop follows a series of recent announcements by Sharjah authorities to integrate advanced technology into the emirate's cultural sector. The trigger for this specific session is the SIH's…