Description
Current practices in virtual heritage restoration face a critical dual challenge. While the rapid iteration of artificial intelligence and high-fidelity 3D technologies offers unprecedented tools for reconstruction, it frequently fails to balance technology-generated restorative hypotheses with rigorous historical authenticity. Furthermore, entrenched silos among materials science, historical research, and arts technology often result in digital models that lack cross-disciplinary validation.
Addressing these urgent methodological gaps, this session champions a paradigm shift from mere “technical application” to “evidentiary science” in digital heritage conservation. By convening scholars and practitioners across heritage protection, computer science, and the digital humanities, the panel aims to construct a scientific, verifiable, and reproducible virtual restoration workflow.
The discussion centers on three core dimensions. First, it examines how AI-assisted restoration, style transfer, and digital twins can reshape restoration pathways and condition inference. Second, it advocates for “evidence-based restoration,” dismantling silos by integrating materials science, empirical data, and art history to form a robust, interdisciplinary scientific evidence chain. Finally, the session explores value translation and ethical boundaries. It critically assesses the translational pathways of virtual restoration outcomes—from guiding physical conservation to unlocking the value and commercial ecosystems of heritage digital assets. It will also address the ethical frameworks and intellectual property management required for responsible development.
Through a synthesis of frontier case studies, core technology demonstrations, and interdisciplinary dialogues, this session moves beyond abstract theorizing. Instead, it fosters deep methodological reflection and practical consensus, ultimately bridging technological innovation with heritage preservation to drive sustainable, scientifically validated digital humanities development.
Motivation
The primary motivation for this session stems from the widening epistemological gap between rapid technological advancement—particularly in AI and interactive arts technology—and traditional heritage conservation. While new computational tools offer unprecedented capabilities for visualization and simulation, they frequently operate in silos, detached from the rigorous, evidence-based methodologies of the humanities and materials science. This disconnect risks reducing cultural heritage to mere aesthetic digital artifacts rather than scientifically validated historical assets.
Furthermore, there is an urgent need to reframe virtual restoration not just as a retrospective technical exercise, but as a catalyst for AI-enabled social innovation and sustainable development. We are motivated by the imperative to bridge these interdisciplinary divides to establish workflows that ensure both historical authenticity and practical utility. By moving beyond isolated technical applications, we can successfully unlock the enduring value and commercial ecosystems of heritage digital assets.
Ultimately, this session is driven by the desire to foster a co-created, holistic paradigm—fusing innovative design practice with cultural preservation to educate the next generation, bridge global cultural narratives, and sustain heritage in the digital era.
Target Audience
- Researchers and frontline conservators in cultural heritage protection.
- Technology professionals in computer vision, AI, and graphics focused on cultural heritage applications.
- Scholars in art history, archaeology, history of science, and digital humanities.
- Policymakers, project managers, and industry practitioners in cultural heritage digitization and creative economies.
Keywords
Simulated Heritage Restoration; AI-Assisted Restoration; Evidence-Based Reconstruction; Digital Heritage Ethics; Virtual Restoration Workflow
