Exploring Mathematical Concepts in Local Culture Based on AI through Collaborative Projects Assisted by Social Media

This study aims to explore mathematical concepts in the local culture of Maros Regency assisted by Artificial Intelligence (AI) through collaborative project-based learning integrated with social media. The study focuses on three Bugis-Makassar traditions (Makkellu, Mappassili, Mappacci), the Dende-dende traditional game, and the Peca Sura tradition. A qualitative ethnographic approach was employed involving participatory observation, in-depth interviews with six cultural informants, photo/video documentation, and the active participation of 15 mathematics education students acting as co-researchers and project-based learners. AI technology served as a supportive analytical and visualization tool—utilizing computer vision algorithms for geometric/symmetry extraction and prompt-based analytical tools for data synthesis. The results show that Makkellu contains facial geometry, ratios, and symmetry; Mappassili is associated with cylindrical volume, circular perimeters, and arithmetic mean temperatures; Mappacci displays symmetry and permutation patterns; Dende-dende contains plane coordinates, angles, and outcome sample spaces for game strategies; while Peca Sura reflects volume, material proportions, and fractional distribution. Social media served as a supportive platform for disseminating educational content: Peca Sura's post received the highest interaction (240 likes, 46 comments, 25 shares), followed by Dende-dende and Makkellu. This research highlights that integrating AI support and social media into ethnomathematics offers a potentially beneficial and engaging pathway for contextual mathematics education and cultural preservation.