AI Tools and Inclusion for Professional Development: An Analysis of Opportunities for South Asian Heritage

In recent years, there has been an increased global focus on cultural policies about AI tools, digitisation and online accessibility to cultural heritage, which has often resulted in a significant increase in the funds allocated to the sector. In parallel, more attention is also being paid to marginalised communities and cultures, with new policies for inclusion and representation being established, both on the international and national levels and by cultural institutions themselves. These two aspects can also be intertwined: digitisation can translate into an engagement tool for disadvantaged and marginalised communities. However, such tools and policies also imply a need for ad hoc training for professionals in the cultural sector. Besides the digitised collections made available by important Western institutions, a specific case stands out in the Indian sub-continent: that of the ‘National Digital Repository and Portal for Museums of India’. Along with its various features, as well as the educational activities related to them, the educational opportunities and resources currently present are mapped out; AI tools that can enable the definition of specific educational activities and thematic paths beyond the museum dimension, allowing for widespread impact in social terms, are considered. Such tools can ensure professional development in the field, both in terms of digital knowledge-building and inclusive perspectives, meeting the needs of the rapidly evolving cultural sector.