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Short Abstract

Who decides what is remembered? This non-extractive citizen science framework returns that choice to communities. AI synthesizes diverse materials; people control what enters, how it is described, and who can access it. Outputs meet archival and policy standards while contributors retain control.

Abstract

Heritage democratization begins with a fundamental question: who decides what is remembered? Our answer is simple: the people who live the stories.

This conceptual framework for audience-aligned narrative design challenges the traditional expert-led model, which gives professionals the final say and returns decision-making rights to communities. Community sovereignty is the foundation. Technology is designed to follow it.

AI serves as memory, mirror, co-creator, and facilitator by synthesizing interview transcripts, historical information, photos, and relevant data into traceable narrative units. Communities direct the process, choosing what enters synthesis, how it is described, which connections are considered, and who may access the outputs. Sovereignty is enforced through OCAP and CARE principles, with consent states and provenance logs governing every use. Nothing leaves without recorded approval.

In practice, community members trained in citizen science methods direct this synthesis. This expertise eliminates the need for expert intermediaries. Communities deliver archive-ready materials on their own terms: finding aids and machine-readable provenance that align with archival and policy formats. A single synthesis can produce multiple outputs, such as finding aids for archives, briefs for policymakers, lessons for educators, and stories for local media, with community control maintained throughout the process.

This approach transforms both people and systems. The authorship process cultivates durable stewards, enhances narrative agency, deepens connection to place, and fosters intergenerational belonging. When communities control their stories, they control their futures.