Workshops on Sustainable Digital Preservation of Cultural Heritage
The APSARA Authority is the Cambodian agency responsible for the protection and management of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
Impact
Participants showed great interest in AI but expressed concerns about authorship, ownership, and data representation. The workshop successfully introduced digital heritage technologies to Cambodian museum and tourism staff, highlighting the need for structured skill development, sustainable digitisation practices, and multilingual data management.
Participants were intrigued by AI but aware it can produce inaccurate information. Main concern: ownership and attribution when AI contributes to digital objects. Participants questioned which AI tools are most suitable for use. Emphasis on the importance of datasets—AI learns from them, but Cambodian data is underrepresented compared to Chinese or American datasets. The workshop marked an important step in introducing innovative heritage technologies in Siem Reap. A phased approach is recommended—starting with digital communication skills, then moving toward 3D scanning and archiving. Many organisations lack dedicated digitisation departments, causing ad hoc progress and potential disruption with staff changes. Embedding skills among current and next-generation professionals is crucial for sustainability and peer training. Rapidly evolving technologies risk file and platform obsolescence, requiring continued training and toolkits. There are significant gaps in SEO and metadata management, especially across multiple languages, necessitating expert collaboration.
Platforms like Europeana. Regionally, an ASEAN-wide umbrella platform could enhance collaboration, reduce duplication, and promote shared goals
Objectives
Amuzeo organized a series of professional development workshops and talks focused on advancing sustainable and ethical practices in digital heritage. The sessions explored Sustainable and Accessible Digitization, emphasizing low-cost and inclusive strategies for preserving cultural assets; Ethics in Digitization and the Use of AI, highlighting responsible data management, transparency, and cultural sensitivity; Storytelling with Digital Archives, showcasing creative approaches to transforming archival materials into engaging narratives; and Curating for the Future, which examined innovative curatorial strategies for long-term accessibility and community engagement. These programs brought together professionals from the museum, cultural and tourism institutions to exchange knowledge and develop practical frameworks that bridge technology and heritage. Through these initiatives, Amuzeo continues to foster a forward-thinking community dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage through sustainable, accessible, and ethically informed digital practices.
Outcomes
