On January 21, 2026, the briefing session for the 2025 Call for Cases on Protecting and Promoting the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in the Digital Environment, along with an outreach activity of the Culture and Technology Innovation Service Alliance, was held at the South Central Axis xR Cloud Performing Arts Center in Beijing.

The event was guided by the International Centre for Creativity and Sustainable Development under the auspices of UNESCO (ICCSD); jointly organized by the Zhongguancun Zhongheng Culture Technology Innovation Service Alliance; the Institute for Cultural Creativity, Tsinghua University; and the Professional Committee of Cultural Creativity of Tsinghua Alumni Association; and co-organized by Yunxi (Beijing) Cultural Technology Co., Ltd. Experts and industry representatives from universities, research institutions, cultural technology enterprises, and professional organizations gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on topics including the role of digital technologies in safeguarding cultural diversity and innovative transformation of cultural heritage.

Ms. Chen Jie, representative of the ICCSD, provided a comprehensive interpretation of the strategic background and global significance of the "2025 Global Digital Innovation Case Collection" from the perspective of global governance. She noted that as the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions approaches its 20th anniversary, the case collection initiative has been formally incorporated into UNESCO's global celebratory agenda. Its evaluation criteria go beyond showcasing individual technologies, placing greater emphasis on international responsibility and people-centered values.

Chen emphasized that the initiative seeks to identify Chinese practices that are genuinely replicable and development-oriented—specifically, low-cost, standardized models that can be adapted across regions and scales, particularly in developing countries, while also aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including decent work and gender equality.

ICCSD will focus on three key areas: technology-enabled development of cultural industries, protection of cultural heritage, and living transmission and community-based innovation of intangible cultural heritage. These efforts aim to support Chinese digital cultural and creative enterprises in going global with a strong sense of social responsibility, promoting a transition from technology application to standard-setting and value leadership on the international stage.

At the beginning of the event, Liu Bing, Secretary-General of the Culture and Technology Innovation Service Alliance, delivered a speech. He emphasized that, in the context of rapidly evolving digital technologies, the integration of culture and technology has become a key driver for promoting high-quality cultural development. The Alliance will continue to leverage its role as a platform and connector, linking resources from universities, research institutions, and enterprises to steadily align outstanding achievements with practical applications. This collaborative approach aims to deepen the integration of culture and technology, and to enable exemplary cultural and technological outcomes to be shared and applied on a broader international stage.

Zhang Zheng, Vice Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication; Vice Dean and Professor at the Institute for Cultural Creativity, Tsinghua University; and President of the Professional Committee of Cultural Creativity of Tsinghua Alumni Association, highlighted that while algorithms and generative artificial intelligence can enhance creative efficiency, they may also exacerbate homogenization of expression and digital forgetting. He stressed that the use of technology should be guided by the principle of technology for good, with improved mechanisms for dissemination and preservation, ensuring that cultural diversity is visible, inheritable, and sustainably developed in digital spaces.

During the thematic sharing session, several experts and scholars from universities and research institutions engaged in discussions on cutting-edge technologies and international practices, drawing on their respective research and practical experience to explore diverse pathways for advancing cultural development in the digital environment.

Du Fanding, Chief Planner of the Heritage Protection & Adaptive Reuse Branch of Tsinghua Tongheng Urban Planning & Design Institute, presented digital practices related to heritage-themed cultural routes. He introduced the application of technologies such as AI-based monitoring and micro-trace imaging in the conservation and presentation of grotto heritage, demonstrating the potential of digital approaches to reduce conservation costs while enhancing public engagement and visitor experience.

An Nanxu, a representative of the Communication and Education Center of the Cultural Heritage Conservation Center of Qingyuan shared insights drawn from World Heritage conservation practices. He highlighted how digital tools can be used to construct a holistic understanding of heritage values, emphasizing that data integration and systematic presentation help deepen heritage interpretation and public understanding. He also stressed the importance of promoting synergy between public communication and governance, thereby strengthening the coherence and effectiveness of heritage awareness and dissemination.