S1 E3 | Digitaonga: Where AI Meets Cultural Heritage

How can emerging technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, or 3D scanning and printing help us preserve, protect, and reimagine cultural heritage? In the third episode of the ALTeR Legally Wired podcast, Professor Alexandra Andhov welcomes Sarah Elsie Baker, Research Director of the New Zealand-founded Digitaonga project, which is dedicated to preserving, reconnecting, and repatriating taonga tūturu (protected Māori cultural objects). What began as a student project exploring blockchain has grown into a powerful platform with the potential of Digitaonga to transform how cultural artefacts are preserved in the future. Together, we explore both the cultural implications and the ways technology can contribute to this vision. Sarah explains why a taonga-led approach, the involvement of kaitiaki principles (guardianship) and collective decision-making have been cornerstones in the development of Digitaonga. Along the way, we examine the creative potential of AI-driven 3D scanning and how blockchain can secure the preservation of cultural artefacts. This episode invites you to re-think cultural heritage in the digital age and provides new perspectives on the relationship between people, cultural artefacts, and technology.Timestamps: (00:53) Episode Begins(01:32) Sarah's Introduction and what she does in the Media Design School(04:11) What is Digitaonga? How did this begin? (06:59) What were the initial thoughts behind Digitaonga, how did we think it could be used?(08:51) What is the technology behind the digital replication of Taonga?(11:00) When did AI start playing a part in this? With an explanation of Photogrammetry and AI.(13:24) How does Kaitiaki play a part in Digitaonga and what value does it bring?(14:48) How would you imagine this working in practice?(17:20) An example of Digitaonga in practice(20:37) What should we take away from Māori practices in establishing our digital frameworks in relation to Taonga?(23:38) The place of animism in Artificial Intelligence and importance of atmosphere in design. (27:50) Looking to the future and ending remarks

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