Beyond Display Cases: AI-Driven Interactive System for Local Heritage Stories

Daniel Maktabi is a PhD researcher at the Manchester School of Architecture and Lead Virtual Experience Developer at the National Horse Racing Museum, Newmarket. He delivers workshops for immersive technologies and creative media at MSA as part of Future Processes Lab and teaches animation and real-time visualisation at SODA. He is also the co-founder of Animates_MCR, a community connecting creative professionals across North West England.

He worked as a Creative Technologist and Technical Artist at the MediaCity Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub (MITIH) DreamLab within the Innovate UK / UKRI Innovation Accelerator. With a background in animation and digital production, his work focused on research and development of real-time immersive applications, including digital replicas, virtual twin workflows, interactive learning simulations, real-time look development and 3D production pipelines. He supported startups and independent studios in prototyping and preparing projects for innovation funding.

Daniel is undertaking a fully funded practice-based PhD at MSA, jointly funded by the Manchester School of Art and the National Horseracing Museum. His doctoral research focuses on developing a remote virtual experience of the museum, using cutting edge and AI-assisted technologies, creating frameworks that bridge historical collections and stories with local storytellers and culturally significant figures.