In the era of rapidly advancing technological globalization, artificial intelligence has not only transcended the temporal and spatial constraints of traditional craftsmanship but has also established new paradigms for cultural preservation through big data analytics and generative design. As a vital carrier of Chinese civilization and material evidence of historical legacy, traditional Chinese costume embodies the cultural and aesthetic characteristics of specific temporal-spatial contexts while undergoing continuous evolution and innovation. Within Chinese history, the Ming Dynasty—the last feudal regime established by the Han Chinese—exhibits distinctive sartorial culture. Ming attire assimilated elements from multiple dynasties, inheriting the cultural codification of Tang and Song traditions while incorporating stylistic influences from the preceding Yuan Dynasty, demonstrating eclectic and diverse characteristics. The remarkably preserved headwear artifacts unearthed from the tomb of Zhu Tan,known as prince of Lu of the Ming Dynasty stand as cultural treasures despite centuries of weathering. These headwear pieces carry profound historical significance, achieving exceptional value both as cultural relics and historical archives. Particularly, they provide direct and reliable material evidence for understanding the development of Han Chinese culture in political, economic, and cultural domains, occupying a pivotal position in relevant academic research. This study examines the cultural significance of late Yuan to early Ming dynasty attire through the analysis of Prince of Lu’s headwear artifacts, while exploring the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the conservation and innovative development of such traditional cultural heritage. First, the research outlines the profile of Prince of Lu’s headwear, which includes ceremonial regalia such as the jiuliu mian (nine-tasseled crown), jiufeng pibian (nine-stitched leather cap), wusha zheshangjin (black gauze folded hat), and dragon robes. Notably, the jiuliu mian and jiufeng pibian are the earliest and only surviving examples of their kind in China, possessing unparalleled historical authenticity that necessitates urgent conservation and scholarly investigation. Second, the study establishes interdisciplinary linkages between AI technologies and Prince of Lu’s attire. Key intersections lie in five domains: digital preservation of cultural heritage, image recognition and analytical processing, virtual restoration and 3D reconstruction, cultural dissemination and educational engagement, and intelligent archival management systems. AI demonstrates transformative capabilities in digitizing, restoring, researching, and promoting these artifacts, thereby modernizing heritage conservation methodologies. Third, the paper evaluates both prospects and challenges in applying AI to Prince of Lu’s headwear. While AI offers substantial potential in artifact restoration, historical-cultural analysis, and cultural product innovation, critical barriers persist—including insufficient high-resolution datasets, limitations in algorithmic interpretability for ancient textiles, and a scarcity of cross-disciplinary experts bridging AI and cultural heritage studies. Finally, the study elucidates the multidimensional value of artificial intelligence in advancing the development of Prince of Lu’s headwear heritage, manifested through its pivotal contributions to cultural heritage conservation and precision restoration, historical research and cross-cultural dissemination, cultural creativity and industrial innovation, public education and participatory engagement, as well as institutional governance and risk mitigation. In conclusion, artificial intelligence demonstrates transformative potential across the interconnected domains of preservation, academic inquiry, cultural communication, creative reinvention, pedagogical accessibility, and sustainable management of Prince of Lu’s ceremonial regalia, thereby driving the dynamic evolution of cultural heritage practices through technological integration.