This paper presents T.I.M.E.talk, an innovative educational technology initiative developed under the MCAST Research Fellowship Scheme, which employs generative artificial intelligence to create curriculum-driven interactive "historical avatars" for use in primary education and cultural heritage learning. The platform enables learners to engage in dialogue with digitally-rendered personas representing historical figures and everyday citizens, grounded in authentic historical, cultural and linguistic contexts. Originating in Malta, a small island state with a rich, layered history and multilingual heritage, the project addresses two intersecting global imperatives; i) integrating emerging technologies into school curricula, and ii) fostering cultural heritage literacy that cultivates historical empathy, critical inquiry, and global citizenship. Informed by a mixed-methods approach including interdisciplinary perspectives from education, AI ethics, and heritage studies, the research adopts a co-design methodology involving educators, learners, technologists, and cultural institutions. The paper will present emerging findings on the platform’s pedagogical affordances, learner engagement dynamics, and the ethical, cultural, and curricular considerations associated with AI-driven heritage education. Preliminary evidence indicates potential for enhancing narrative competence, curiosity, and temporal reasoning, as well as supporting teacher-led innovation in lesson design. The discussion situates T.I.M.E.talk within IAFOR’s thematic foci, positioning it as a transferable model for other education systems worldwide. It will also consider future research directions, including multilingual adaptation, interdisciplinary curriculum integration, and application in non-formal contexts such as museums and community learning environments.

Authors:
Heathcliff Schembri, Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, Malta

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Heathcliff Schembri is Senior Lecturer in Education at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST).

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathcliffschembri/

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