New technologies for the conservation and preservation of cultural heritage through a bibliometric analysis

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) on heritage conservation and preservation, and to identify relevant future research trends, by applying scientometrics.Design/methodology/approachA total of 1,646 articles, published between 1985 and 2021, concerning research on the application of ML and AI in cultural heritage were collected from the Scopus database and analyzed using bibliometric methodologies.FindingsThe findings of this study have shown that although there is a very important increase in academic literature in relation to AI and ML, publications that specifically deal with these issues in relation to cultural heritage and its conservation and preservation are significantly limited.Originality/valueThis study enriches the academic outline by highlighting the limited literature in this context and therefore the need to advance the study of AI and ML as key elements that support heritage researchers and practitioners in conservation and preservation work.