Artificial Intelligence Applications for Cultural Heritage: Innovations, Challenges, and Opportunities
A special issue of Big Data and Cognitive Computing (ISSN 2504-2289).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: trust and reputation systems; Internet of Things; distributed artificial intelligence; intelligent transportation systems; multiagent systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: cloud computing; social network; trust and recommendation systems; IoT
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: trust and reputation systems; Internet of Things; distributed artificial intelligence; artificial neural network; multiagent systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being increasingly applied in the field of Cultural Heritage, and this is contributing to the redefinition of how historical artifacts, traditions, and archaeological assets are preserved, studied, and disseminated. Recent advancements in computer vision, machine learning, interactive technologies, and knowledge representation have led to the development of innovative tools capable of enhancing documentation processes, automated classification, digital restoration, and visitor experiences for both researchers and the public.
This Special Issue aims to contribute to the exploration of the state of the art in AI applications for Cultural Heritage. In particular, a particular emphasis will be given on interdisciplinary approaches and computational sustainability, ranging from generative AI to agent-based systems. Contributions may include, but not be limited to, theoretical models, case studies, system architectures, and evaluation methodologies that can be applied to domains such as historical sites, virtual museums, historical data mining, and virtual and augmented reality experiences.
By bringing together different perspectives from computer science, digital humanities, and heritage studies to tackle the ethical, social, and interpretative challenges that are associated with the use of AI in cultural contexts, we hope to provide a comprehensive overview of how AI can support, safeguard, and valorize cultural assets in the digital age.
Topics may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- AI for artifact analysis, classification, and digital restoration;
- Application of generative AI;
- AI for artifact analysis, classification, and digital restoration;
- Semantic enrichment and automated metadata extraction from historical archives;
- Knowledge-based systems and data integration in heritage platforms;
- Mixed reality (AR/VR) powered by AI for museum and site experiences;
- AI for storytelling and personalized cultural content delivery;
- Secure, privacy-aware, and scalable infrastructures for heritage data;
- Case studies and lessons learned from implemented AI heritage projects.
We are especially interested in submissions that go beyond proof-of-concept and demonstrate how AI can make a tangible difference in the way cultural heritage is preserved, studied, and appreciated.
Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Maria Luigi Sarnè
Dr. Fabrizio Messina
Prof. Dr. Domenico Rosaci
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Big Data and Cognitive Computing is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- artificial intelligence
- generative artificial intelligence
- cultural heritage
- artifact analysis, classification
- digital representation
- data analysis
- AI-based mixed reality
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