## 1 Introduction  
Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) encompasses all intangible cultural expressions, representing the diversity of living human heritage and serving as the most important vehicle for cultural diversity [1]. UNESCO, through the \"Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage\", has emphasized the importance of protecting ICH and has brought global attention to this issue [2]. The primary objectives of the convention include safeguarding ICH, ensuring respect for the cultural heritage of the communities, groups, and individuals involved, raising awareness about the importance of ICH at all levels, and promoting international cooperation and assistance [3]. However, under the pressures of modernization and globalization, ICH faces the risk of marginalization and disappearance. The lack of technological support and systematic approaches in current preservation efforts has limited the transmission and dissemination of traditional knowledge [4]. The emergence and application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies provide new ideas, forms, and techniques for the safeguarding and transmission of ICH, leading to the development of the \"AI+\" model [5]. Global initiatives, such as UNESCO's \"Charter on the Preservation of Digital Heritage\" and Europeana's \"Top Ten Perspectives for the Future of Digital Culture\", have encouraged the shift towards digital approaches, with innovations in AI, blockchain, ontology, and virtual reality accelerating this transition [6]. By empowering technology and integrating AI with traditional culture, new pathways for the preservation and innovative development of ICH can be forged, enabling it to take root and grow within the contemporary cultural ecosystem, continuously adapting to produce new cultural forms that align with the times. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in cultural heritage preservation demonstrates significant advantages. Research indicates that AI technology substantially enhances the efficiency of heritage detection, restoration, and classification, supporting automated preservation by identifying and categorizing architectural defects through deep learning models [7]. In the domain of intangible cultural heritage, AI, combined with knowledge graphs and classification models, facilitates the digital preservation of traditional crafts [8]. Additionally, the integration of AI with hyperspectral imaging and augmented reality expands the possibilities for virtual restoration and digital representation, enabling multidimensional dissemination of cultural heritage [9]. Building on these technological advancements, the application of AI must also address ethical considerations and sustainability to ensure that improved preservation efficiency aligns with cultural integrity [10]. Overall, AI provides robust technological support and diverse application scenarios for cultural heritage preservation while also raising ethical standards that form a critical foundation for future development. Chinese paper-cutting was listed in the national intangible cultural heritage registry in 2006 and was subsequently inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009 [11; 12]. In 2011, to further promote traditional Chinese culture, foster spiritual civilization, and strengthen the protection and transmission of intangible cultural heritage, relevant legislation was promulgated [13]. Chinese paper-cutting represents both tangible and intangible aspects of folk life and cultural heritage [14]. It is a traditional handicraft that involves creating various patterns on paper using scissors or knives. More than just a visual art form, Chinese paper-cutting is an important cultural symbol, widely used in festive decorations, ceremonial activities, and folk customs [15]. Existing studies on paper-cutting culture primarily focus on protection strategies for cultural spaces, aiming to preserve the regional characteristics and traditional values of paper-cutting art.