The Fourth Forum on Digital Dissemination and Innovative Development of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) was held at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) on September 18–19, 2026. Under the theme "Revitalizing Heritage through Digital Intelligence and Cross-Cultural Dialogue," the forum brought together scholars and industry professionals to explore how emerging technologies can advance heritage preservation, cross-cultural understanding, and sustainable development.

The event was jointly organized by the Institute for Cultural Innovation and Development at the Institute of Cultural and Creative Industry (ICCI), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the School of Communication at HKBU. Co-organizers included HKBU's School of Business and School of Creative Arts, the Center for Computational and Cross-disciplinary Art at Northwestern Polytechnical University, the College of Fashion and Design at Donghua University, and the School of Journalism and Communication at Minzu University of China.

Opening Perspectives: Rethinking Heritage Preservation in the AI Age

In his welcome address, Professor Jiming LIU, Interim Provost of HKBU, highlighted the growing role of intelligent technologies in heritage research and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Drawing on his earlier fieldwork among ethnic minority communities in Yunnan, he discussed how digital archives could preserve traditional songs and oral histories, while computational methods could help trace cultural evolution. He emphasized that the complexity of ICH requires a transdisciplinary approach integrating computer science, communication, sociology, and other fields. He also called for sustained international partnerships that could translate academic discussions into long-term research and practical initiatives.

Professor Ke XUE, Director of the Institute for Cultural Innovation and Development at ICCI and one of the forum's initiators, identified three key developments in the forum's fourth edition.

First, the focus has shifted from cultural dissemination to cross-cultural understanding, moving beyond the measurement of communication effectiveness to examine how digital technologies can foster dialogue between cultures.

Second, the integration of strategic communication and interdisciplinary perspectives has broadened ICH research to include cultural soft power, public diplomacy, and international trust-building.

Third, advances in AI and digital humanities are enabling new methods of computational analysis, visualization, and large-scale comparison, complementing traditional fieldwork and textual research.

Drawing on the Pearl River Delta's traditions of textiles, silk, and craftsmanship, he observed that cultural heritage is rooted in local communities while remaining connected to the wider world through trade, migration, and media. He encouraged researchers to use digital resources and new forms of storytelling to bring fresh perspectives to these traditions, while strengthening international collaboration through shared data, methods, and case studies.

Connecting Research and Practice: Heritage, Technology, and Communities

The forum featured a keynote presentation by Associate Professor Natalia GRINCHEVA of LASALLE College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore, titled "Digital Soft Power of Heritage Media in the Age of AI."

Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change, GRINCHEVA argued that digital soft power requires meaningful audience participation, community empowerment, and ethical AI practices. She emphasized that people and communities must remain central to how their cultural heritage is represented and interpreted.

An interdisciplinary roundtable titled "From Cultural Heritage to Cultural Connection: Strategic Communication, Intelligent Media, and Place-Based Engagement" brought together scholars and practitioners to examine new approaches to heritage communication and public engagement.

Jialun NG, General Manager of Corporate Branding and Marketing at Airport Authority Hong Kong, shared how storytelling and cross-sector collaboration can integrate local culture into the passenger experience. As a gateway to the city, Hong Kong International Airport offers opportunities to introduce visitors to local traditions, transforming the airport from a transportation hub into a space for cultural discovery.

GRINCHEVA further emphasized that heritage communication should move beyond maximizing visibility to encourage genuine participation and meaningful cultural experiences. The discussion highlighted the importance of connecting heritage with contemporary life rather than treating it solely as content for public display.

Advancing Research: AI, Cultural Authenticity, and Global Engagement

The forum featured 12 parallel sessions—four in English and eight in Chinese—with researchers from universities across China and overseas, including Shanghai Jiao Tong University, HKBU, Wuhan University, Tongji University, King's College London, and Belarusian State University.

The four English-language sessions examined AI and embodied heritage practices, cross-cultural perspectives on AI and heritage, Chinese cultural narratives, and youth engagement through digital platforms.

A central theme was the importance of preserving the cultural knowledge underlying traditional practices. Scholars noted that much of this knowledge develops through generations of interaction between people and materials. Digital representations should therefore communicate the original cultural context and preserve the perspectives of heritage practitioners.

Participants also explored how emotional resonance and cultural interpretation can promote cross-cultural understanding. They emphasized the importance of identifying cultural origins and creators, particularly as younger audiences engage with heritage through global digital platforms. AI, they suggested, could help bridge linguistic and cultural differences, provided its applications are guided by cultural responsibility.

The eight Chinese-language sessions addressed digital mediation and multimodal translation, heritage transmission through digital platforms and archives, and the use of generative AI to reconstruct heritage imagery.

Through case studies of Suzhou embroidery, Zhuang brocade, and silver filigree craftsmanship, researchers examined how digital technologies can document and revitalize traditional practices while raising new questions about authenticity.

Several studies highlighted the risk that AI-generated imagery may reproduce traditional visual forms without conveying their cultural meanings. Researchers therefore stressed the need to respect cultural origins and the interpretive authority of heritage communities. They also argued that digital approaches should be adapted to the characteristics of individual traditions rather than follow a single model.

Across the 12 sessions, discussions extended beyond technological applications to questions of cultural meaning, community participation, and heritage transmission.

A shared conclusion emerged: intelligent technologies should enrich living heritage, not replace the traditions or communities that sustain it. Similarly, international heritage communication should aim beyond greater visibility to foster deeper understanding and mutual respect across cultures.

Looking Ahead: Sustaining Innovation and International Collaboration

The forum concluded with the formal handover of hosting responsibilities for the next edition and its associated competitions to Minzu University of China.

Building on four consecutive editions, the forum will continue to deepen interdisciplinary research and expand international partnerships. By connecting technological innovation with cultural knowledge and community participation, it aims to support the sustainable preservation of intangible cultural heritage and foster meaningful dialogue across cultures.