Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

AI-Assisted Co-creation and Youth Engagement in Intangible Cultural Heritage: A Systematic Literature Review

Sirui Wang*
University of Glasgow

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Transmission of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is facing a serious challenge, as youth participation is declining globally. Digital technologies have been widely used to preserve ICH,but most efforts are largely confined to documentation and display, with limited success in engaging younger generations. The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) offers new opportunities to revitalise ICH through more interactive and creative approaches. This study presents a systematic literature review exploring how AI technologies are currently applied in the ICH field and their influence on youth participation,drawing on literature published between 2010 and 2025.. The review identifies three primary categories of AI applications: digital documentation and preservation, interactive dissemination, and public co-creation. The findings indicate that AI research in ICH has shifted from a technology-driven focus to user-centered approaches; however, empirical evidence regarding whether these applications effectively enhance youth participation remains scarce, and theoretical underpinnings remain underdeveloped. This review proposes an integrated framework for understanding AI's role in this domain and identifies future research directions, particularly the need for youth-focused empirical studies and greater attention to risks to cultural authenticity.

Keywords: AI; Intangible cultural heritage; Youth participation; Co-creation
Published: September 22, 2026
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2026.BA37243
Volume: CHR Vol.123
pp. 28-34
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