In recent times, artificial intelligence (AI) has seen significant advances, fundamentally altering numerous facets of human existence. In the entertainment, healthcare, finance, and communication industries, AI is transforming how we interact with one another and with technology. In the realm of archaeology, AI is being utilised to reconstruct and simulate ancient environments and landscapes, sites, artefacts, and monuments, thereby challenging conventional notions of historical knowledge and providing fresh perspectives on the past.
AI Rethinks the Past, a new exhibition pioneered at Duke University, highlights the capabilities of generative AI technology in the specific context of central Italy’s Etruscan and Roman landscapes. Initially held from 22 April to 24 May 2024, the exhibition was an innovative gathering that fused historical scholarship, scientific inquiry, and cutting-edge technology. It is now travelling to Europe. Examining how AI was used to illuminate past Italian landscapes for the exhibition provides a sense of its archaeological potential.
AI archaeology
The category of AI algorithms known as ‘generative AI’ can create new content, including text, images, and videos, by analysing data and patterns that have been learned. In contrast to conventional AI systems, which predominantly focus on classification, prediction, and decision-making, generative AI models undergo training to discern the fundamental structure and attributes of the input data. This enables the models to produce unique and genuine outputs. These models can learn to imitate the structure, content, and manner of the original data through training on massive datasets; as a result, they can generate original works that bear resemblance to the training data.
