A report on the Italo-Canadian Symposium on New Trends in Protecting Cultural Heritage using Digital Technology: Digital Twins and AI
Report by Arnadi Murtiyoso
Photos by Michelle Duong
A symposium was held in Ottawa on the 3rd of July 2026 by the UNESCO Chair on Digital Twins for World Heritage Conservation. The symposium, held at Carleton University and centered on the topic of the ethical use of digital twins and AI in heritage, was organized in collaboration with the Carleton Immersive Media Studio (CIMS) and the Italian Embassy to Canada.
Mario Santana Quintero opens the Italo-Canadian Symposium
The symposium consisted of two parts. In the first part, two renowned Italian experts on cultural heritage, Fulvio Rinaudo (CIPA-HD President) and Luigi Barazzetti (Politecnico di Milano), delivered keynote talks on the use of AI in heritage documentation. Both experts showcased the advantages of AI but also demonstrated their weaknesses. A key takeaway message was the need for responsible use of both AI and the digital twin technology in heritage conservation.
Fulvio Rinaudo presents: Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence to document Cultural Heritage
Luigi Barazzetti presents: From Data to Intelligence: Towards Knowledge-Grounded Digital Twins for Heritage Conservation
The second part of the symposium consisted of a roundtable discussion with international expert panelists from different domains related to heritage conservation. The consensus of the discussion was that digital twins and AI are transforming the way we document, assess, interpret, and manage cultural heritage. However, significant technical and ethical challenges remain to be addressed, including topics such as sustainability, durability, and replicability of these solutions, as well as the inclusion of local actors when considering a site or an object as living heritage.
Roundtable on New Trends in Protecting Cultural Heritage using Digital Technology. Panellists from L-R: Stephen Fai (respondent), Maarten Bassier, Els Verstrynge, Nicolas Arellano, Arnadi Murtiyoso, Mona Hess, Tania Landes, Hélène Macher, Erica Nocerino, Miquel Reina Ortiz (moderator), Mario Santana Quintero
The symposium also included a guided tour of the CIMS laboratory and facilities as well as presentations from CIMS members on some of their ongoing and past projects in heritage conservation.
A recap of the event by the organizers can be read here: Digital Twins for UNESCO World Heritage Conservation.
