Following the initial concept note workshop, the team felt it was necessary to understand the
landscape around digital heritage and AI in Africa and Asia to better position the new initiative.
Over the course of three months, a small research team explored close to two hundred different
initiatives, projects, and individuals working in the field of digital heritage and AI. They
conducted about twenty interviews as well.
The research covered three main tracks: digital heritage initiatives, leading voices in AI and
cultural heritage, and projects around ethical/community-driven AI. The final report covered the
key findings, such as the tendency for digital heritage projects to be repositories or archives
only, an analysis of the key challenges, best practices drawn from the various identified projects,
and reflections and recommendations for community-driven approaches.
The key takeaways of the report were:
- AAOO currently has a unique positioning in the field and is seen as necessary and timely by peers and colleagues, however, due to the fast moving nature of the field, it may not stand on its own for long.
- AAOO’s approach to bringing together both tech and culture experts to work collaboratively is one of its most unique and interesting aspects as noted in the introductory calls.
- Going forward, it will be important for AAOO to adopt a mixed approach of both theory and practice, addressing the methodological and philosophical questions of designing a Global South focused AI as well as the practical implications and end use cases.
- It is necessary to define concretely what we mean by AAOO and develop a set of guidelines or manifesto against which we can evaluate practical projects.
You can read the full report here.
The outcomes of the Landscaping research led directly to the formation of the working group
and development of the Manifesto, which you can read here.