Huang Yuping's work depicts Jinhua ham inspired by the style of Wu Changshuo. [Photo/Tide News]

Digital technology brought ancient paintings at Jinhua Museum to life during the National Day holiday.

"We used AI video technology to make the figures, birds, animals, and landscapes in the paintings move, turning static works into dynamic images," said Xiu Ruiyun, vice-dean of the Design College at Jinhua University of Vocational Technology.

The approach goes beyond animating images, creating immersive historical and cultural scenes for visitors, who watched cranes soar and landscapes flow on screen.

Beyond reviving old works, the museum partnered with the college on an AI painting exhibition in which students drew on the styles of exhibited works by modern and contemporary masters and used AI tools to create new pieces featuring Jinhua's scenery, culture, and historical sites.

Student Huang Yuping's work depicts Jinhua ham in the style of Wu Changshuo, while Hong Yulu created four pieces inspired by Huang Binhong, portraying Jinhua Mountain, Yanwei Islet, and Zhuge Bagua village.

The museum also launched an AI guide during the holiday, where visitors could scan a QR code to ask about artifacts and their history.