AI to Safeguard Russia’s Cultural Heritage Sites

AI as a Guardian of Heritage

The Ministry of Digital Development of Tatarstan has announced plans to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) for the preservation of cultural heritage sites. A specially trained neural network will analyze restoration and conservation projects, prepare expert opinions, detect possible violations in documentation, and generate official passports for heritage assets. It will also monitor the condition of sites through photographic records.

This digital tool is expected to become a valuable and practical instrument for improving both the quality of restoration and oversight of cultural sites in Tatarstan.

Looking ahead, the project could be expanded to other Russian regions and serve as a foundation for a unified national system of heritage management and protection. Beyond Russia, the technology has potential to attract interest from countries seeking to safeguard their own historic landmarks, creating export opportunities for Russian digital solutions.

Four years ago, when we first began discussing this idea, we were like blind kittens moving in an uncertain direction. Today, after discussions with Russia’s Ministry of Construction and with our own ministry, we realize we are still at the beginning of the road. The task ahead is to develop while protecting our past — our cultural heritage, archaeology, and architecture

Ivan Gushchin

Chairman of the Committee for Cultural Heritage Protection of the Republic of Tatarstan

Digitalization as a Global Trend

The idea of applying AI to heritage conservation aligns with the broader global trend of digitizing processes for cataloging and restoring historically significant real estate.

If the pilot proves successful, it is likely to spark international interest — particularly in countries with rich cultural legacies across Europe and Asia. The approach also builds on precedents: in 2020, Google Arts & Culture launched digital reconstructions of global landmarks, while in 2021 Italy used AI to restore frescoes in Pompeii.

Russia itself has already embraced AI in this field. In 2022, St. Petersburg authorities used AI to assess the condition of historic buildings via photos and laser scans. The following year, Moscow introduced a unified digital platform for tracking cultural heritage sites.

From Pilot to Nationwide Rollout

With Tatarstan now serving as a testing ground, AI could soon become the backbone of heritage protection in Russia.

If the project succeeds, officials expect it to scale across the country and open doors to international markets for heritage preservation technologies. Within the next three to five years, Russia may see the launch of a unified national AI-powered system for registering and monitoring historic monuments.