WS2: People-Centred AI and Digital Twins for Historic Places Date: 15 October 2026
Venue: BCM

Coordinator: Dr. Stacy Vallis (Auckland University of Technology); Dr Mario Santana (Carleton University)
Trainers: Eugene Ch'ng (Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University); Alex Yen (China University of Technology)

Fees: USD 100 / MYR 400
Limited to 40 participants only

Background

Carleton University and University of Azuay have established the UNESCO Chair on Digital Twins for World Heritage Conservation to advance research, education, and practice in heritage conservation in response to the growing challenges posed by climate change. Digital twins—dynamic, data-rich digital representations of heritage places that integrate documentation, monitoring, and analytical data—support predictive conservation, advanced visualization, informed decision-making, and collaborative heritage management.

The workshop is led by Stacy Vallis from Auckland University of Technology, a strategic partner of the UNESCO Chair, and Mario Santana Quintero, UNESCO co-chair; both Prof Vallis and Santana are presidents of their national committees. Organized in conjunction with the ICOMOS General Assembly 2026, the workshop aims to strengthen North–South collaboration, foster interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, and contribute to monitoring and achieving the United Nations (SDGs). The UNESCO Chair is supported by the ICOMOS/ISPRS International Scientific Committee CIPA Heritage Documentation.

Objectives

  • Promote inclusive, people-centred approaches to heritage conservation that integrate community knowledge, participation, and diverse values.
  • Introduce the application of artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins, and related digital technologies for the documentation, monitoring, management, and conservation of cultural heritage.
  • Demonstrate emerging and experimental methods for identifying, documenting, and monitoring the values and character-defining elements of historic places to support informed conservation and public interpretation.
  • Foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers, practitioners, and heritage institutions working at the intersection of digital heritage, conservation, and sustainable development.