Empowering intangible cultural heritage with digital intelligence: a multi-method qualitative study on Su embroidery

Abstract The development of the market poses a threat to the survival of Su embroidery, which highlights the urgency and complexity of protecting intangible cultural heritage in the context of the globalization and emphasizes the need for innovative response strategies. Based on an eight-year longitudinal ethnographic survey conducted in Suzhou from 2017 to 2024, this study delves into how digital technology affects the attitudes of Su embroidery inheritors and analyzes the impact of digital technology on the protection of Su embroidery art. Through the investigations and interviews, this study explores a new paradigm of digital communication that technologies can play a crucial role in preserving and promoting cultural heritage by adapting to the dynamic transmission characteristics of culture authenticity. The research findings provide new insights for empowering cultural value innovation with technologies, suggesting that digitalization can indeed serve as a powerful tool for the protection and revitalization of intangible cultural heritage.