Reconstructing Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: From the “Loss of Aura” to the “Co-Creation of Aura”
Abstract
With the advancement of globalization and modernization, Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) faces a crisis of transmission. As an emerging technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been widely applied to the digitization and dissemination of ICH, aiming to alleviate this issue. However, whether AI can effectively preserve or reconstruct the "aura"—a core characteristic of intangible cultural heritage—remains widely debated. Based on Benjamin's theory of "aura," this study explores the challenges and potential of AI intervention in the transmission process of ICH. By distinguishing between "representational aura" and "non-representational aura," the article analyzes AI's limitations in reproducing symbolic cultural content and its impact on embodied experience and emotional resonance. Furthermore, this study proposes the concept of "aura co-construction," advocating that AI should function as a cultural "participant" rather than a tool in ICH transmission. Through collaborative creation, AI can redefine the generative mechanisms of "aura." Findings indicate that while AI cannot fully replicate traditional spiritual resonance, it can play a significant role in ICH transmission through deep human-technology interaction, opening a new aesthetic pathway termed "semi-spiritual resonance." This research offers novel perspectives and methodologies for future theoretical and practical applications of AI in ICH preservation.
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