UNESCO has partnered with Google Arts & Culture to launch 'Project Horizon', a massive technological initiative designed to safeguard the world's most vulnerable coastal heritage. Using AI-driven satellite imagery and high-resolution LiDAR, the project will create accurate 'digital twins' of 500 sites currently threatened by rising sea levels. These 3D models will serve as a permanent record and a tool for engineers planning physical sea defenses.
The project focuses on regions in Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands, where traditional stone and earthen structures are at risk of erosion. By making these digital assets open-source for researchers, Project Horizon aims to foster global collaboration in heritage preservation. The initiative also includes a virtual reality component, allowing the public to explore these sites and learn about the local communities' efforts to combat climate change.