In introducing the background of building ichLinks as the Asia-Pacific ICH information sharing platform, its core values and objectives, implementation schemes, and expected effects are explained. ichLinks plans to serve as a common ground for all the participating Member States to connect with each other. ICHCAP plans to form a one-stop integrated online service platform and an expanded platform based on the participation of Member States by establishing an Executive Committee led by partner organizations from participating Member States for efficient platform operation. In addition, ICHCAP support will address differences and deficiencies resulting from different technological conditions among nations. These actions would help participating states and partner organizations voluntarily and actively using the platform and continue to create new value through multilateral information sharing, exchange, and cooperation. Information and content shared through ichLinks can be constantly recreated and reused as online and offline resources in areas, e.g. festivals, exhibitions, research, and tourism.

With the growing expansion of digital ecosystems around the world, an information-sharing platform has emerged as one of the key elements for the success in the fourth industrial revolution. This shows the recent transition into a new paradigm the focus of which is mainly brought to the openness and sharing1. These changes have made their ways not only into the economy but also into art and culture. Discussions have also been made, even in the field of ICH, about the importance of co-governance and management for efficient ICH safeguarding and their use. This can be also construed from Cheng Yang’s article, indicating that “the open and cooperative governance is the key to effective ICH safeguarding in the big data era.”2 Today, many ICH elements are at severe risk due to political, social and environmental changes such as globalization, industrialization, urbanization, and climate changes. A lot of analogue ICH-related records have faced a serious risk of damage and deterioration while failing to adapt to the digital environment. This is why we need a digital mechanism for ICH safeguarding.

Moderator to Participants: If you will allow me, because of a shortage of time, one question can be applied to everybody. Mr. Park this question is related to the one I asked you. The issue is related to challenges and is related to artificial intelligence. Because as Mr. Kwon Huh mentioned earlier in his presentation that we have to continue networking both online and offline. And if we are talking about online networking, I think one of the possible challenges in front of us is artificial intelligence, which is coming to every site and from your point of view, what is the extent of artificial intelligence could be an essential tool for promoting this ICH Silk Roads network? To what extent do we have to consider? I know that Krista Pikkat was looking after a communications center, so she knows very well about artificial Intelligence, and she has many ideas on artificial intelligence. It is coming; it is coming everywhere already. So, my question to you, from your point of view, artificial intelligence and the Silk Roads network. What can be the challenges here and what would be your proposal?