AI-Powered Mobile App “Suzhou Stories”: Revaluing Cultural Capital through AI Mediation, User Experience, and Community-Based English Language Learning

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This research project examines how an AI-powered mobile application, Suzhou Stories, can transform cultural heritage into a form of English language learning while fostering global cultural exchange. The app enables local creative workers—such as artisans and storytellers—to convert their lived experiences and craft knowledge into AI-assisted learning content.

Grounded in Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital, the project addresses how embodied cultural knowledge is often undervalued in formal language markets. By integrating AI tools such as translation and storytelling assistance, the platform repositions this knowledge as both pedagogically and economically valuable.

At the same time, the study critically engages with Tiziana Terranova and David Hesmondhalgh & Sarah Baker, examining whether user participation constitutes empowerment or exploitation. Through user experience and feedback, the research evaluates how AI mediates cultural value, enabling new forms of community-driven learning and potentially redistributing economic benefits to local communities.

The findings from the AI-powered mobile application reveal a significant positive impact of digitalization on local cultural heritage, with an overall effectiveness rate of 70.11% in enhancing heritage engagement through AI-driven tools. Additionally, 64.67% of participants acknowledged the value of digitalization in deepening their cultural knowledge and understanding.

These results suggest that the application effectively lowers the barriers to cultural learning by making heritage content more interactive, accessible, and engaging. Rather than replacing cultural practitioners, the technology serves as a complementary tool—empowering educators, artists, and community leaders to present their traditions in innovative ways while preserving the authenticity and human essence of the culture. The AI does not diminish the role of practitioners; instead, it amplifies their reach and enriches the user experience, fostering a more immersive and participatory form of cultural preservation