Theme

Intangible Cultural Heritage in the AI Age:

Strategic Communication, Innovation, and Global Engagement


Organizers

Main organizers:

School of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU);

Institute for Cultural Innovation and Development, USC- SJTU Institute of Cultural and Creative Industry, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU).


Co-organizers:

School of Business, HKBU;

Faculty of Creative Arts, HKBU;

College of Fashion and Design, Donghua University;

Center for Computational and Cross-disciplinary Art, Northwestern Polytechnical University;

School of Journalism & Communication, Minzu University of China.


Venue

HKBU campus, Hong Kong


Forum Focus

This forum invites research that explores the dynamic interplay between Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), strategic communication, and cutting-edge digital technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence, in fostering global understanding, driving innovation, and shaping cultural diplomacy. It invites critical discussions on how ICH can be effectively communicated and revitalized through intelligent media to promote cross-cultural dialogue, enhance soft power, and contribute to sustainable development in an interconnected world. The forum also aims to translate research into impact and showcase AI-powered public engagement tools and methods for ICH communication, with explicit attention to culturally respectful design and effective AI-driven communication.


Suggested Topics

We welcome theoretical research, empirical studies, methodological papers, practice-led research, and case studies. Topics include but are not limited to:


I. ICH as Soft Power and Public Diplomacy in the Digital Era


  • ICH as a tool for public diplomacy and nation branding.

  • Strategic communication frameworks for enhancing ICH visibility and trust-building globally.

  • Empathy-driven, cross-cultural narrative strategies for ICH and audience reception.

  • Measuring the soft power impact of ICH through digital analytics and experimentation.

  • Policy and governance for AI-mediated ICH in international relations.


II. Digital Intelligence, AI, and Innovation in ICH Safeguarding and Revitalization


  • AI-powered public engagement and creative content generation for ICH.

  • AI chatbots, agents, and analytics for inclusive community participation in ICH.

  • Authenticity, ethics, and boundaries of AI-generated content in ICH storytelling.

  • Emotion-centered design to counter “digital drain” and preserve cultural depth in ICH.

  • Business models for ICH content ventures and design thinking for innovation.

  • XR, digital technologies, and virtual environments for ICH community engagement and cultural transmission.

  • Cross-domain migration of ICH culture and AI assistance; aesthetics and AI mediation.

  • Innovation in ICH protection and transmission technologies.

  • The Boundary between ICH Authenticity and AI-Generated Content.

  • Digital Communication of ICH and Human-Computer Collaboration.


III. Global Engagement, Cross-Cultural Dialogue, and Intergenerational Transmission


  • ICH communication governance, ethics, and measurement in a global context.

  • ICH Authenticity and Cross-Cultural Communication.

  • Communications and outreach strategy design aligned with UNESCO priorities for global impact.

  • ICH digital ecosystems and tourism integration; destination branding and cultural exchange.

  • Influencer marketing (human or AI/digital) and creator collaborations for ICH communication.

  • ICH community co-creation and education through digital platforms.

  • Dissemination platforms and public participation; intergenerational collaboration for ICH.

  • ICH education and digital literacy for global audiences.

  • Non-heritage aesthetics and AI mediation.

  • ICH museums and innovative preservation.

  • Product and fashion design with ICH elements.

  • ICH games for education and cultural transmission across generations.

  • Metaverse/XR productions and virtual environment creation for youth engagement.

  • Data-driven ICH communication strategies and public opinion management.

  • ICH brand communication and digital consumption innovation.


IV. Policy, Governance, and Sustainable Development


  • ICH protection, transmission, and policy research.

  • Innovation in ICH protection and management mechanisms.

  • ICH Economy and Industrial Innovation

  • ICH and rural revitalization through digital communication.

  • The construction of ICH professional systems.

  • Other research related to ICH digital communication.


Submission Type

  • Full research papers (theoretical, empirical, methodological), 6,000-8,000 words including tables, figures, and references


Submission Guidelines

  • Language: English or Chinese

  • Format: English papers follow APA (7th ed.); Chinese papers follow GB/T 7713.2-2022

  • Anonymization: Please include a title page with author(s), affiliation(s), and contact details; anonymized manuscript for peer review.

  • Submission method: The submission site will be announced on May 1, 2026.


Important Dates

  • Submission deadline: June 1, 2026

  • Notification of acceptance: July 1, 2026


Review and Awards

  • All submissions undergo peer review

  • Best Paper Awards: Top Faculty Papers and Top Student Papers


Contact

icci-icid@sjtu.edu.cn


Important Notice: This email address is only for inquiries regarding submission guidelines and conference attendance. Do not submit manuscripts directly to this email; any submissions sent here will be considered invalid.

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