Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how societies preserve and engage with intangible cultural heritage (ICH)—the living traditions, practices, and expressions that communities transmit across generations. From machine-learning restoration of artefacts to conversational systems that support oral traditions and language revitalisation, AI promises unprecedented visibility, access, and interactivity. Yet this promise sits alongside structural risks: gaps in data sovereignty, uneven participation in the AI lifecycle, and the commodification or misrepresentation of…