Dear all, we have a great pleasure to invite you to another PCMA Lecture, which will take place next Monday, 01.12 at 7:00 pm in our Research Centre in Heliopolis. This time our guest will be Dr. Abdelrahman Medhat, who will present a lecture titled: Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change: Advancing Insight into the
Risks Facing Egyptian Cultural Heritage Sites.
The lecture will be held in English.
Egypt’s cultural heritage stands among the most extraordinary legacies of human civilisation—yet it is increasingly at risk due to the impacts of climate change. Sea-level rise, temperature shifts, desertification, flash flooding, and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation and carbon emissions are all accelerating the deterioration of archaeological materials and historic landscapes. This presentation draws on findings from an on-site field survey conducted at selected heritage locations in Egypt’s Nile Delta and Western Desert—areas already showing visible signs of climate induced stress. Crucially, this study goes beyond theory: it explores how Artificial Intelligence is not only offering new ways to understand these risks but is also being actively applied in the field to support conservation efforts.
From AI-powered environmental monitoring to real-time data modeling, and from structural vulnerability assessment to digital documentation, we examine tangible case studies where AI tools are currently in use. These applications demonstrate how AI can enhance the capacity of heritage professionals to make timely, informed decisions under growing climate pressures.
The talk will highlight AI’s role across five core areas:
• Environmental monitoring and predictive analysis
• Structural vulnerability assessment and damage forecasting
• Conservation and restoration enhancement
• Digital documentation and virtual preservation
• Integrated data platforms for heritage decision-making
The integration of AI with field-based research represents a critical shift towards a more holistic, evidence-driven approach to cultural heritage preservation. By applying these tools directly to vulnerable sites, we are not only deepening our understanding of climate impacts—but also pioneering practical, scalable solutions for safeguarding Egypt’s ancient legacy.
Dr. Abdelrahman Medhat is a multilingual heritage scientist and Scientific Advisor specializing in sustainable heritage protection with a focus on climate-resilient conservation strategies and the integration of emerging technologies in heritage management. His work strongly aligns with UNESCO’s core mandates, including safeguarding cultural heritage, fostering intercultural dialogue, advancing climate action, and promoting digital innovation. Currently, Dr. Medhat serves as an Archaeometrist and Conservator at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, where he applies scientific inquiry and field expertise to preserve heritage assets threatened by environmental and human-induced challenges. He earned his PhD with distinction for his research on the chemical degradation of 18th-century wooden icons and their appropriate conservation treatments.
As a 2024–2025 Postdoctoral Fellow with the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE), supported by the U.S. Department of State and the Council of American Overseas Research Centers, Dr. Medhat leads a pioneering project investigating the impact of climate change on archaeological earthen structures in the Nile Delta. This work promotes sustainable, eco-friendly conservation practices responsive to the region’s unique environmental challenges.
Beyond his conservation research, Dr. Medhat develops ethical AI frameworks to assess and mitigate climate change impacts on Egypt’s cultural heritage, guided by UNESCO’s 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. His interdisciplinary approach aims to enhance heritage documentation, risk prediction, and resilience planning, emphasizing human centered, transparent, and culturally respectful AI development.
Please note, we work on a first-come, first-served basis, as the number of seats is limited. We open our doors at 6:30 pm and close them at 7:10 pm or earlier when the lecture room reaches its full capacity. This lecture will be livestreamed. You can join through the link:
https://uw-edu-pl.zoom.us/j/97378522515?pwd=TUdIM2w7ba52hfAud4avNxKjqOMBwb.1
Location: 11 Mahalla Str., Heliopolis, Cairo, Al-Ahram Metro Station, 3rd line
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6TGrXULWtMf58EP47
