This is a scene from last year's Korea-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Innovative Culture Forum from Oct. 26-27, 2024, at the National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

By Lee Jihae
Photos = Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange will host in Singapore on Nov. 8 the Korea-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Innovative Culture Forum.

The ministry on Nov. 4 said it will host the event to boost the cornerstone of bilateral cultural exchange and expand mutual understanding and cooperation.

The forum attracts cultural and artistic professionals and culture industry representatives from 11 countries for discussions. Launched in 2020 and now in its sixth year, the meeting will be held at National Gallery Singapore.

The first session, "Practicing Cultural Diversity in the Age of AI (Artificial Intelligence)" will share case studies on how cultural diversity is reflected amid an environment of rapid technological change.

The second, "Mobility in the Creative Industries in the Age of AI," will discuss changes stemming from AI in creative industries overall and how the sector is adopting technologies.

Under the theme "Cultural Literacy in the Age of AI," the third session will discuss strengthening the capacities of cultural creators and forming a basis for cooperation through education on AI literacy.

And the fourth will be held with the ASEAN Foundation on the topic "The Future of AI and Cultural Heritage." Participants will discuss case studies in which AI contributed to the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage and discuss the potential for future collaboration between Korea and ASEAN.

Each session will be attended by experts and cultural and artistic professionals from major Korea-ASEAN institutions like the Korea National University of Heritage, ASEAN Foundation, ASEAN Secretariat and National Gallery Singapore.

"The development of AI presents new opportunities to expand creativity in culture and arts and industry," said Yune Yang Su, head of the ministry's International Cultural Affairs and Public Relations Office. "We hope that this forum is a catalyst for Korea and ASEAN to jointly create an inclusive cultural ecosystem for the AI era."

Official poster for ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum