Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Immersive Interaction in Cultural Heritage, Digital Design, and Educational Innovation

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and immersive interaction technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR) and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), has created unprecedented opportunities for transforming cultural heritage preservation, digital design practices, and educational innovation. These technologies enable the creation of interactive, context-aware, and personalized experiences that connect diverse audiences to cultural content. From virtual reconstructions of heritage sites to AI-driven adaptive learning platforms, the integration of advanced computational methods with creative disciplines offers new pathways for engagement, accessibility, and sustainability. However, there remains a need for interdisciplinary collaboration to fully realize the potential of these emerging tools in cultural, design, and educational contexts.

This Research Topic aims to explore the application and impact of AI and immersive interaction technologies in advancing cultural heritage preservation, enhancing digital design processes, and fostering innovative educational models. We seek to address current challenges such as technical integration, user experience optimization, cultural contextualization, and long-term sustainability. By gathering insights from computer science, design, cultural heritage studies, and educational technology, this collection will examine how AI algorithms, VR/AR platforms, and interactive systems can be strategically applied to create value in both academic and real-world contexts. The goal is to bridge the gap between technological innovation and cultural-educational relevance, offering actionable frameworks and design strategies that can guide researchers, practitioners, and policymakers toward more impactful and inclusive solutions.

We invite original research articles, reviews, case studies, and technical reports on topics including, but not limited to:

·AI-driven cultural heritage preservation and digital restoration.
·Immersive VR/AR experiences for education and cultural engagement.
·Human-computer interaction and usability studies in digital heritage and design.
·Computational design methods for creative industries and cultural applications.
·Evaluation of immersive learning environments and user-centered design frameworks.

Interdisciplinary contributions that integrate technical innovation with cultural, artistic, and educational perspectives are particularly welcome. Manuscripts should demonstrate both theoretical depth and practical relevance, aiming to inform the development of sustainable, inclusive, and culturally resonant digital experiences.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Registered Report
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Immersive Interaction, Cultural Heritage, Digital Design, Educational Innovation, Human-Computer Interaction, Virtual Reality

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.