Design and Evaluation of an AI-mediated Visual Co-Creation System for Participatory Cultural Heritage in Museums

In response to the limited participatory and experiential depth of traditional display-based museums, this study explores how AI can mediate more meaningful cultural engagement. It adopts a three-phase research pathway—CoDesign, CoCreation, and Evaluation—to reimagine how AI can support participatory cultural heritage experiences. Through CoDesign workshops with museum professionals, designers, and visitors, we iteratively developed an AI-mediated co-creative system integrating iPad sketching, gesture-based control, AI image generation, and a virtual exhibition environment. Based on 349 visitor responses, we applied PLS-SEM and fsQCA to examine how configurations of co-creative interaction design quality, embodied engagement, aesthetic experience, cultural participation, and cultural perception shape cultural identity. Findings show that AI-driven co-creative design significantly strengthens visitors’ cultural participation and cultural perception, while supporting immediate perceived cultural connection. These findings offer both a validated case of AI-enabled participatory heritage and transferable principles for museums transitioning toward co-creative, visitor-centered exhibition models.