Summary of Key Points
The world's first commercially available multi-modal cultural and tourism large model, "BoGuan," has been officially implemented on a large scale in Xi'an. It generates revenue through the development of digital IPs related to intangible cultural heritage (ICH), paid cultural and tourism services (such as AI-guided tours and AI-powered photography), and the efficient production of short videos. By integrating technologies like 5G-A and cloud computing, it collaborates with local enterprises such as Shaanxi Cultural Investment Group, China Telecom Shaanxi Company, and Western Airport Group. This not only helps in the preservation and revitalization of ICH but also provides visitors with a new and immersive experience, while promoting the digital transformation of Xi'an's cultural and tourism industry.
1. The "BoGuan" Large Model: The "Super Intelligent Brain" for the Cultural and Tourism Industry
"BoGuan" is not just an ordinary AI tool; it is a specialized "super brain" designed for the cultural and tourism sector, with the primary goal of protecting and preserving culture. Its intelligence comes from two aspects:
- A vast knowledge base: It contains 1.2PB of data (equivalent to more than 1,200 1TB hard drives), including 31 million cultural and tourism images, 4.4 million minutes of cultural heritage videos, 2.18 million minutes of audio, as well as 510 three-dimensional models of cultural relics and 960 million pieces of text. This extensive dataset provides a comprehensive understanding of Xi'an's and Shaanxi's cultural heritage.
- Powerful computing capabilities: Supported by Huawei's Ascend technology, "BoGuan" can process this data rapidly and produce accurate content. For example, it can generate museum-quality descriptions of cultural relics with no factual errors and digitally preserve the craftsmanship of these artifacts, effectively preventing their loss.
2. ICH Preservation: From Time-Consuming Creation to Efficient Monetization
ICH preservation traditionally faced two challenges: slow creation processes (e.g., two to three months for clay sculpture) and limited commercial potential. "BoGuan" addresses both issues:
- Accelerated creation: Zhang Beiyuan, a clay sculptor, reported that with the help of "BoGuan," a project that would normally take two to three months can now be completed in just one week, significantly reducing time costs.
- Digital IP monetization: By combining the "Zhaoling Six Steeds" cultural relic with six Xi'an ICH elements, "BoGuan" created the digital IP "Tang Qiaoliqiao," which generated over 2 million sales of related digital collectibles and merchandise. This not only brings ICH to life but also allows creators to earn income, creating a positive cycle.
3. Visitor Experience: From Surface-Level Visits to Immersive Interactions
"BoGuan" enhances the visitor experience in several ways:
- AI-guided tours: Through the "Travel Shaanxi" app, visitors can interact with AI to customize their itineraries. For instance, they can ask questions like, "What performances are happening at Datang Night City today?" and receive real-time recommendations without having to search for information themselves.
- AI-powered photography: The "ZhiYing Camera" mini-program allows users to merge their photos with AI-generated historical scenes (e.g., ancient palaces), providing an exclusive and memorable experience. This paid service increases visitors' willingness to spend, generating additional revenue for the attractions.
- Short video production: As Xi'an is known as the "Global Short Video Capital," "BoGuan" accelerates the creation of short videos, enabling more cultural and tourism-related content to be produced and attracting more visitors.
4. 5G-A Technology: Boosting the Cultural and Tourism Experience
Fast internet connectivity is essential for a superior experience. Xi'an has deployed 5G-A infrastructure (a collaboration between China Telecom Shaanxi Company and Huawei), which offers nearly ten times the speed of standard 5G (600Mbps upstream and 3.5Gbps downstream):
- Smooth traffic even with large crowds: During this year's May Day holiday, 23,000 users used the network simultaneously at Datang Night City without any congestion.
- Live streaming: High-definition cultural and tourism live broadcasts double visitors' engagement time and increase average transaction values by 62%. For example, if a live broadcast of the night view at Datang Night City captures viewers' interest, they may decide to visit and purchase related products, directly boosting revenue.
5. Smart Airports: Making Travel More Convenient
The technology behind "BoGuan" is also applied in airports, enhancing the travel experience:
- Self-service check-in: Visitors can complete check-in in just 10 seconds without waiting in line.
- Fast luggage tracking: Luggage is transported at a speed of 2 meters per second, with real-time tracking available.
- Timely boarding: Visitors arriving up to 30 minutes before the flight can still catch their flights. These improvements make travel more convenient and enhance Xi'an's reputation as a tourist destination.
Conclusion
The combination of the "BoGuan" large model and 5G-A technology transforms Xi'an's cultural strengths into commercial opportunities. It not only revitalizes ICH but also makes tourism more enjoyable for visitors and generates revenue for businesses. This "culture + technology + commerce" model could become a new standard for the future of the cultural and tourism industry.