To highlight the latest advancements in the digital transformation of the culture and tourism industries, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) chose 10 model cases on Monday from a total of 183 cases leading the way in digital innovation in these fields. These initiatives use technology like virtual reality and artificial intelligence to promote creative advancement in the industry.
One of the top ten cases highlights the Zhejiang Art Museum’s efforts to create a cross-provincial digital resource-sharing platform for art collections, complete with features like a “collection brain” and “digital cockpit. ” This platform will help the public by encouraging intelligent and shared access to art resources.
The Natural History Museum of China has developed digital guides using augmented reality and artificial intelligence to improve public culture and tourism services. These tours are immersive and increase guests’ convenience and enjoyment.
“Whether it’s in cultural creation, smart management, or precise service, digitalization offers us unprecedented possibilities,” Jiang, a Beijing-based employee of a state-owned software company, told the Global Times.
Jiang highlighted how technology is important for cultural development since it transcends time and location, making it possible for cultural and tourism resources to be shared more broadly throughout the nation and even internationally.
The world’s first “gene bank” of ancient ceramics was constructed in Jingdezhen, the “porcelain capital” of Jiangxi Province in East China, to aid in the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage. The digital portal has gathered 2,200 sets of 12,583 specimens from imperial kilns throughout the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).
About 300,000 gene data entries have been produced as a result of this endeavour, offering a strong database for academic research, artefact conservation, and the creation of cultural and creative products.
“The application of cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and big data is driving innovation in Chinese cultural content, upgrading methods of transmission, and enhancing visitor experiences,” Jiang stated.
“The integration of digital technology and culture has not only enhanced the public’s sense of cultural accessibility but also provided new momentum for the global transmission of Chinese culture.”
The Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau and the office of the Beijing Central Axis World Heritage Protection officially launched the digital Central Axis project in July, enabling people to experience the beauty of Beijing’s Central Axis through virtual reality, after the Central Axis was successfully added as a UNESCO World Heritage site a few months prior, according to the Xinhua news agency.
“Digital projects for preserving intangible cultural heritage are not only enabling dynamic transmission through big data collection and AI but also allowing more young people to engage with and learn about traditional culture through digital platforms,” Jiang said.
“China will accelerate the in-depth application of digital technologies in the culture and tourism sectors to achieve digital empowerment and information transformation,” stated an MCT official.
“The goal is to turn resource advantages into development strengths, therefore contributing to high-quality development in culture and tourism,” stated the official.
The selection was centred on several topics, such as improving the digital standards of public cultural services and creative cultural expression. According to MCT, it also entailed developing whole new digital consumption scenarios and assisting cultural organizations in their digital transformation.
According to China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the implementation of these examples seeks to further strengthen digital development in the culture and tourism sectors and advance China’s national cultural digitalization policy – Global Times
