Microsoft aims to harness AI for heritage projects

Microsoft, which embarked two years ago on an effort to use artificial intelligence for altruistic purposes, today announced a new prong in the $125m programme: an initiative to preserve cultural heritage. The plan is the fourth pillar in a five-year philanthropic effort dubbed AI for Good, which already includes previously announced target areas centred on the earth, humanitarian action and accessibility. The $10m cultural heritage initiative will focus on finding ways to celebrate people, language, places and historic artefacts, the company says. "If you think of globalisation today, the role of technology, I think there are many places around the world where you see people asking, 'What is happening to my traditional place and what is happening to my traditional culture and all the heritage I value?'" Brad Smith, the president of Microsoft, said in an interview.