Ethical Dimensions of Artificial Intelligence Applications in the Field of Cultural Heritage

Shahın Azadalıyev; Orhan Akova

doi:10.5281/zenodo.17575636

Authors

Shahın Azadalıyev PhD Candidate https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9395-3585
Orhan Akova Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, Department of Tourism Management, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7740-2938

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17575636

Keywords:

ethics, cultural heritage, artificial intelligence, sustainability

Abstract

This study aims to systematically analyze the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence applications in cultural heritage preservation, interpretation, and transmission, and to propose potential solutions. The research examines the interrelationship between AI technology, cultural heritage ethics, and sustainable preservation practices, revealing tensions between technological advancement and ethical responsibility. Through a systematic literature review of Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, complemented by case analyses of prominent AI cultural heritage projects, the study evaluates ethical dimensions across multiple contexts. The results indicate significant imbalances between technical and ethical aspects in current applications, with critical concerns including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and cultural representation. The study contributes both a comprehensive ethical framework tailored to cultural heritage AI applications and practical guidelines for stakeholders, emphasizing the need to balance technological innovation with ethical imperatives.

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Author Biographies

Shahın Azadalıyev, PhD Candidate

PhD Candidate in Tourism Management at Istanbul University, Institute of Social Sciences, Department of Tourism Management, Türkiye. Master’s degree in Tourism Management from Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Institute of Social Sciences. Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality from the Azerbaijan State University of Economics, Department of Economics and Management of the Social Sphere. Research interests include sustainable tourism, recreation management, tourism impacts, and tourism management, particularly in the areas of digital transformation, cultural heritage tourism, rural tourism, local development, and sustainable destination governance. Corresponding author. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9395-3585 [ shahin.azadaliyev@ogr.iu.edu.tr ]

Orhan Akova, Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, Department of Tourism Management, Türkiye

Full Professor in Tourism Management at Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, Department of Tourism Management, Türkiye. Research interests include the sociocultural impacts of tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, cultural heritage, organizational behavior, and management in tourism. Published widely in high-impact journals such as TR, JTCC, BFJ, IJHM, EJIM, JHTI, and JHT. Editorial Team Member and Reviewer for several reputed SSCI journals. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7740-2938 [ oakova@istanbul.edu.tr ]

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