Mission Description
- Real-World Problem: Amid breakneck development and globalization, UAE and Qatari societies face the challenge of preserving their rich cultural heritage – from traditional architecture and pearl-diving history to Bedouin poetry and falconry – for future generations. Qatar’s National Vision 2030 explicitly highlights balancing modernisation with the preservation of traditions , and the UAE similarly prioritizes cultural identity alongside innovation. However, many young people today can feel disconnected from their heritage. Historical sites might be overlooked and languages/dialects could fade. There is a need for creative ways to keep culture alive in the digital era, using the same technologies that captivate youth. Both countries have begun efforts (e.g. virtual museums tours, archive digitization), but the field is wide open for innovation where tech meets tradition.
- Mission Task: Build a project that uses modern technology to promote or preserve cultural heritage. This could take many forms. For instance, a team could create an AR heritage tour app: when you point a smartphone at a historical building or a museum artifact, the app overlays an interactive story or 3D reconstruction of how it looked in the past. Another team might develop an AI chatbot storyteller that speaks in local Arabic dialects and can answer questions about folklore, traditional crafts, or historical events – essentially an AI that has “learned” the nation’s history and legends. A VR project is another route: design a virtual reality experience where users walk through a famous old market or pearl diving boat and learn by immersion. Students should produce a working demo of whichever solution they choose – for example, a few AR scenes of a cultural site, or a chatbot prototype trained on history texts, or a short VR simulation.
- Key Skills: Augmented/Virtual Reality development (Unity, Unreal or mobile AR frameworks), AI/NLP (for chatbots or voice recognition if needed), multimedia design (3D modeling, audio recording for storytelling), software development, and some research into history and culture to source the content.
- Expected Impact: A digital heritage project can make culture accessible and engaging, especially to youth. Tourists and students could use an AR app to enrich their understanding when visiting heritage sites, making learning history as fun as catching Pokémon. An AI storyteller kiosk could be placed in a museum or library, letting people “chat” with an expert about old customs in an interactive way. These technologies ensure that as the UAE and Qatar leap into the future, they don’t lose sight of their past. By reinforcing national identity and pride, the mission supports the social development pillars of the national visions (which stress cultural preservation and awareness). Moreover, this challenge shows that innovation isn’t just about finance or coding – it can also safeguard intangible treasures like language, art, and tradition. Students will be bridging generations, using cutting-edge tech to keep heritage alive in hearts and minds, well into the 21st century.
Student Goal
Build a project that uses modern technology to promote or preserve cultural
heritage. This could take many forms. For instance, a team could create an AR heritage tour app:
when you point a smartphone at a historical building or a museum artifact, the app overlays an
interactive story or 3D reconstruction of how it looked in the past. Another team might develop an AI chatbot storyteller
that speaks in local Arabic dialects and can answer questions about folklore, traditional crafts, or
historical events – essentially an AI that has “learned” the nation’s history and legends. A VR project is
another route: design a virtual reality experience where users walk through a famous old market or
pearl diving boat and learn by immersion. Students should produce a working demo of whichever
solution they choose – for example, a few AR scenes of a cultural site, or a chatbot prototype trained on
history texts, or a short VR simulation.
Mission Information
Status
Open
Deadline
December 31, 2025
Category
Corporate
Grade
—
Rewards
Recognition, Internships, Prizes
Presented by
Ready to Join This Mission?
Take on the challenge and make a difference with Digital Heritage Preservation �.