Official: China's culture-tech fusion reshapes heritage, industry and innovation

In China, technology and culture are merging to transform heritage preservation, industries and creativity, according to guests at a forum in south China's Shenzhen on Tuesday.

Guests at a sideline event of the 2025 Forum on Building up China's Cultural Strength emphasized that the fusion of culture and technology is central to China's vision of becoming a global cultural power.

Culture-tech synergy: Reviving heritage and empowering rural communities

From ancient papermaking to modern AI, the intersection of culture and technology has long driven societal progress. Nowadays, this fusion is deeper than ever. The guests highlighted the use of AI and virtual reality (VR) in restoring ancient texts and offering users immersive digital tours of historical sites.

Digital tools are also helping preserve rural traditions, such as folk arts, by turning them into online content. Shenzhen, once a so-called cultural desert, now contributes billions of yuan to China's cultural economy through tech-driven creativity.

Industry shifts: Smarter production and new consumer trends

Big data and AI are reshaping both the production and consumption of culture. Streaming platforms use algorithms to personalize user experiences, while generative AI cuts costs for creators. According to the guests, in 2024, China's culture-tech industries, ranging from virtual exhibitions to smart tourism, generated nearly 6 trillion yuan ($840 billion), a tenfold increase since 2012. National policies, such as the cultural digitization strategy, help manage and protect digital cultural assets.

Future frontiers: AI creativity and global collaboration

AI now assists writers and filmmakers. Meanwhile, virtual influencers redefine entertainment. The sidebar forum noted that China plans to build a national cultural data system, support startups in the cultural tech sector, and encourage global partnerships to avoid isolation.

The guests also urged innovators to let culture guide technology and let technology empower culture, emphasizing that blending tradition with tech will strengthen China's global cultural influence.