Protopica Unleashed: How Generative AI is Revolutionizing Cultural Heritage Preservation

How can we protect our rich cultural heritage as languages and traditions fade away at an alarming rate? In early 2024, two visionary creators confronted this vital issue, exploring innovative avenues to preserve their cultural stories. Their mission was both significant and personal, and they found an unexpected ally in generative AI, notably through the foundational model of the OpenAI video platform, Sora.

Their short film, Protopica, emerged as a bold experiment that utilized state-of-the-art technology to honor culture rather than obliterate it. This unique endeavor ignited discussions, standing in stark contrast to the widespread anxieties many artists had about the rapid advancements in generative AI. Yet, this daring partnership chose to harness this technology, challenging conventional beliefs: Could AI become a protector of the narratives, languages, and symbols that are on the verge of being forgotten? The answer was a definitive yes.

### From Concept to a Cultural Movement
Their journey commenced with a pivotal discussion at OCAD University in early 2024. Co-directors Manuel Sainsily and Will Selviz explored cultural preservation, drawing a powerful parallel: “If we can securely store the planet’s seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, then why not provide the same protection for our languages and stories?”

This analogy profoundly resonated with them. Soon after, the duo secured their place in an alpha program for OpenAI’s Sora, an experimental AI video generation tool. Their objective? To combine advanced technology with the rich heritage of Guadeloupean Creole, a language often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

During a recent OpenAI Forum event, they highlighted a startling statistic: a language disappears every 14 days, with nearly half of the world’s 7,000 languages potentially facing extinction within the next century. Through Protopica, they aimed to counteract this alarming trend.

### Storytelling Interwoven with Identity
At the heart of Protopica lies a compelling question: What if our lives are shaped by decisions made long before our existence? Drawing on their Afro-Caribbean heritage, Sainsily and Selviz infused the film with cultural imagery: butterflies reflecting the islands of Guadeloupe, ancestral spirits guiding future generations, and a cyclical rebirth representing the passing down of wisdom.

They recognized the potential risks of using AI, as their goal was not to produce a digital appropriation of culture, which could be akin to digital blackface, where generative models create cultural visuals without true understanding. It was essential for artists committed to genuine preservation to navigate these waters with caution.

To tackle this, they implemented stringent cultural checks. Every visual and narrative component underwent thorough validation to ensure authenticity and avoid misrepresentation. Acknowledging the possible biases inherent in AI, they committed to a careful and cooperative approach, eager to work with technology rather than against it.

### Crafting in a Language Rarely Heard
One of their most innovative strategies revolved around flipping the traditional filmmaking narrative. Rather than starting with visuals, they centered their work around sound, particularly a poetic monologue delivered in Guadeloupean Creole.

For many viewers, this would be their inaugural experience with the language — a conscious choice aimed at cultural conservation. They even crafted a tailored GPT model for Guadeloupean Creole, a crucial step for ensuring the language endures for future generations. Thus, the storyline developed: a spirit reincarnated as a child, symbolizing the transmission of traditions through the ages.

### AI as a Collaborative Ally
Once the script was finalized, the real challenge of actualizing it through AI began. The Protopica team generated thousands of visuals using Sora, meticulously curating only a select few for the final version — a remarkable 1000 to 27 ratio that showcases their commitment to the curatorial process.

It’s worth noting that the early versions of Sora that the team utilized were devoid of image input capabilities, compelling them to depend entirely on textual prompts to drive the AI’s output. While this lack of control might seem limiting, they viewed it as a collaborative opportunity. “Working with AI is a partnership. You can’t control everything, and that unpredictability can lead to groundbreaking creative breakthroughs,” they asserted.

### Ensuring Accuracy Through Cultural Validation
Cultural validation stood out as one of the project’s cornerstones. Every frame was rigorously examined by members of the Afro-Caribbean and Latin American communities to ensure both respect and authenticity in representation. The aim was clear: to ensure AI augmented the narrative without altering its core.

The film’s intentionally grainy archival aesthetic was a deliberate choice — designed to echo historical footage and reinforce Protopica’s mission of preservation while softening the sometimes overly polished visual effects of AI.

### Sharing Protopica with Audiences
By July 2024, Protopica was ready for its debut. It premiered during Sora’s alpha period and quickly amassed over 500,000 views. Following its success, additional screenings took place at Sora Selects in New York City and the VIFF Signals Exhibition in Vancouver.

The feedback was beyond their expectations. Viewers engaged actively, stimulating conversations around AI’s role in storytelling, the responsibilities that come with technological progress, and the complexities involved in cultural preservation in the current digital era. For Sainsily and Selviz, this level of engagement symbolized true success — their efforts resonated deeply with audiences attuned to the importance of cultural narratives.

### Beyond a Film — A Forward-Looking Vision
However, Protopica transcends mere cinematic experience; it embodies a broader mission. The team is now broadening their endeavors into three significant areas:
🔹 **Public Speaking** — Leading discussions on AI ethics and cultural preservation on global forums.
🔹 **Experiential Design** — Crafting immersive experiences for brands seeking authentic community interaction.
🔹 **Education** — Developing curricula focusing on AI and XR to empower underrepresented voices.

“We are global citizens dedicated to building a better world,” expressed Sainsily. “Protopica is about harnessing innovative technology to create a more equitable and vibrant legacy.”

### Concluding Thoughts
By intricately integrating Guadeloupean Creole narratives with generative AI, Protopica challenges a common perception: that AI inevitably erases identity. Instead, it offers a vision of collaboration, where communities can leverage AI to preserve their cultural heritage.

As Sainsily and Selviz share Protopica at festivals, workshops, and various online platforms, they hope to inspire more storytellers to collaborate with AI on their own terms. “We aspire to spark global dialogues about what is possible,” Selviz comments, “while remaining rooted in the cultures that shape us.”

In an era where languages vanish at alarming speeds, Protopica stands as a powerful reminder that the future of cultural preservation can be innovative, inclusive, and profoundly human.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the film for yourself! Share your thoughts in the comments below. Have you ever considered a cultural preservation project that could benefit from the power of AI? [Watch here](https://youtu.be/BWT8ywg–CI).