Dr. NDM Santi D., M.Si. is a lecturer at Bali Tourism Polytechnic, Indonesia, with over three decades of experience in higher education, tourism, management, and cultural studies. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Universitas Gadjah Mada, a Master’s degree in Culture Studies, and a Doctoral degree in Culture Studies from Universitas Udayana. Her professional expertise includes management, cross-cultural communication, service psychology, marketing management, vocational education, curriculum development, and industry-based learning. She has contributed to the development of curricula aligned with the Indonesian National Qualifications Framework (KKNI) and National Standards for Higher Education (SN Dikti), as well as training modules and hotel operational SOPs. Dr. Santi has participated in professional development programs in cultural tourism, research, ASEAN national training, competency assessment, and academic research. Her interdisciplinary background in psychology, culture, education, and tourism supports her work in developing innovative and industry-relevant approaches to tourism education and professional training.

Can AI Save Sacred Tradition? Mekotekan, Sacred Tradition, and The Future of Climate - Resilient Cultural Tourism in Bali                                                                                                             Abstract: Climate change, environmental degradation, and rapid technological transformation are reshaping the future of tourism and cultural heritage. In Bali, cultural traditions are not merely expressions of religious and social identity but also constitute valuable living heritage that can support sustainable and resilient tourism development. One distinctive example is Mekotekan, a traditional cultural practice preserved by the community of Munggu, Bali. Traditionally performed as a communal ritual using wooden poles, Mekotekan represents collective identity, social cohesion, intergenerational knowledge, and the relationship between humans, culture, and the environment. However, the sustainability of such living heritage faces challenges associated with changing generations, tourism commercialization, environmental pressures, and the increasing influence of digital technology. This presentation proposes a Human–AI Co-evolution framework for sustainable cultural tourism, positioning Mekotekan as a case of smart heritage in which technological innovation supports rather than replaces cultural authenticity and community ownership. Artificial intelligence and digital technologies can contribute to cultural documentation, heritage interpretation, visitor management, environmental monitoring, destination communication, and the transmission of indigenous knowledge to younger generations. At the same time, technology should remain embedded within local cultural values, community participation, ethical considerations, and environmental responsibility. The proposed approach connects four dimensions: living cultural heritage, environmental sustainability, artificial intelligence, and community resilience. Within the Munggu context, digital and AI-enabled solutions can potentially support low-impact tourism, improve visitor information, monitor environmental conditions, strengthen cultural education, and create innovative ways of communicating Mekotekan to global audiences. Clean energy and environmentally responsible tourism infrastructure can further support the development of climate-conscious cultural destinations while minimizing the ecological footprint of tourism activities. The presentation argues that the future of cultural tourism should not be understood simply as the digitization of tradition. Instead, it requires a process of human–technology co-evolution, in which local communities remain the primary custodians of cultural meaning while AI functions as an enabling technology for preservation, education, environmental sustainability, and responsible tourism development. Mekotekan in Munggu demonstrates how sacred tradition can become a foundation for smart heritage and climate-resilient tourism without losing its cultural essence. This perspective offers broader implications for Bali and other cultural destinations seeking to balance heritage preservation, climate action, technological innovation, community empowerment, and sustainable tourism development.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Keywords: Mekotekan, Munggu, Cultural Tourism, Living Heritage, Climate Resilience