The “AI for Heritage Preservation in Petra” initiative establishes a forward-looking Swiss–Jordan partnership aimed at developing a shared cultural and ethical framework for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in heritage preservation. Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of outstanding historical and cultural value, is increasingly affected by erosion, climate change, and human impact. At the same time, AI-based tools in documentation, modelling, and risk assessment present new opportunities for sustainable preservation, provided they are applied in ways that respect local knowledge, cultural values, and community traditions.

Building on the historic link created by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt’s rediscovery of Petra in 1812, the initiative frames contemporary Swiss–Jordan cooperation as a renewed “journey of rediscovery” grounded in interdisciplinary dialogue. It brings together expertise from cultural heritage and AI to encourage mutual understanding across fields and national contexts.

The central outcome will be the AI for Heritage Preservation in Petra White Paper, an interdisciplinary communication document synthesizing cultural perspectives and ethical considerations. It will serve as a conceptual foundation for future bilateral initiatives, including education, long-term collaboration, and AI-supported preservation associated with Petra and beyond.

This project strengthens Switzerland–MENA collaboration between the University of Zurich and the American University of Sharjah through structured communication, dissemination and stakeholder engagement activities in the field of blockchain-enabled sustainability. The initiative combines a bilateral visit and outward-facing workshops in the UAE to translate academic insights into accessible formats for policy, industry and academic audiences. By producing targeted communication materials and fostering dialogue across sectors, the activity enhances the visibility, intelligibility and strategic positioning of the partnership, contributing to its long-term sustainability and societal relevance.

AI is rapidly transforming medical diagnostics, with significant potential to improve early detection of diseases such as colorectal cancer. However, most AI systems are developed and validated in high-resource settings, raising critical concerns about their reliability and usability in diverse clinical contexts, particularly in low- and middle-income regions. This workshop brings together researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders from Switzerland and Egypt to explore how AI can be adapted, trusted, and effectively integrated into real-world healthcare systems. Building on an ongoing Swiss–Egyptian research collaboration on AI-assisted colonoscopy funded by Leading House MENA, the workshop will highlight emerging evidence on model performance across populations, bias mitigation, and human–AI interaction in clinical practice.

The event will feature expert talks, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focused on key challenges, including trust in AI recommendations, explainability and data governance in low-resource settings. Particular emphasis will be placed on bridging the gap between technical innovation and clinical adoption, ensuring that AI systems are not only accurate but also usable, equitable, and context-sensitive. By fostering dialogue among academic and non-academic participants, including healthcare professionals and technology experts, the workshop aims to strengthen Switzerland–MENA collaboration.