Saudi innovator Hanin Al-Zahrani is pioneering a new frontier where ancient history and artificial intelligence converge. At just 24, she is leveraging AI to decode the Kingdom’s rich past through her two startups, ArchTech and AeroQuest, redefining how cultural heritage is preserved, understood, and experienced in the digital age. Her work positions her among a new generation of Saudi women driving significant technological and cultural transformation.
Decoding History with ArchTech
Al-Zahrani’s flagship project, ArchTech, is an AI-powered platform designed to translate and digitally document ancient Saudi inscriptions. Motivated by the realization that many historical scripts remain misunderstood due to complexity or deterioration, she developed a system to bridge this gap. “My interest in combining archaeology and artificial intelligence began with the question: ‘What if technology could help us read the past more clearly?’” she explained.
ArchTech utilizes AI to analyze high-resolution images of ancient scripts, including Thamudic, Sabaean, and Nabataean. The platform identifies characters, deciphers patterns, and translates the content into multiple languages such as Arabic, English, Chinese, and French, while preserving the original historical context. By also recording metadata like location, material, and estimated date, ArchTech is building a comprehensive digital archive that makes history accessible to researchers and the public alike.
Reimagining Tourism with AeroQuest
Al-Zahrani’s vision extends beyond preservation to creating immersive smart tourism experiences. Her second initiative, AeroQuest, is an innovative app designed to connect travelers with Saudi culture before they even land. The application provides an in-flight interactive map that displays tourist destinations, historical landmarks, and major cultural events across the Kingdom in real time.
“AeroQuest was created to make air travel both educational and interactive,” Al-Zahrani stated. “Travelers can explore sites from the air, learn about their history, and engage with augmented reality content.” Using AI for multilingual translations and dynamic storytelling, the app transforms flights into immersive cultural journeys, showcasing how technology can seamlessly integrate innovation with heritage.
Overcoming Historical Data Challenges
Building AI models for archeological data was not without its hurdles. One of the primary obstacles was data collection, as no comprehensive digital databases for ancient inscriptions existed. “I had to gather information from books, manuscripts, and historical sources to train AI models accurately,” Al-Zahrani noted. The diversity of ancient scripts, combined with natural erosion on artifacts, made character recognition particularly difficult. Ensuring translation accuracy while preserving deep historical and cultural nuances across multiple languages was another significant challenge that her team successfully navigated.
Aligning Innovation with Vision 2030
Both ArchTech and AeroQuest are deeply aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, contributing to the nation’s objectives for cultural preservation, tourism diversification, and technological advancement. Al-Zahrani emphasized the broader impact of her work, stating, “My work bridges tradition with modern technology, demonstrating how innovation can support sustainability, cultural enrichment, and the strategic objectives of Vision 2030.” Her ventures also champion the empowerment of women in technology and foster a knowledge-based economy.
About ArchTech and AeroQuest
Founded by Saudi innovator Hanin Al-Zahrani, ArchTech and AeroQuest are two technology startups operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence and cultural heritage. ArchTech is an AI platform that analyzes, translates, and documents ancient inscriptions to create a comprehensive digital archive. AeroQuest is an in-flight application that offers travelers an interactive, AI-powered smart tourism experience, allowing them to explore Saudi Arabia’s cultural and historical landmarks from the air.
Source: Arab News
