Google Develops AI Tool That Fills Missing Words In Roman Inscriptions

Google DeepMind's new AI tool, Aeneas, assists historians in analyzing ancient Roman inscriptions. Aeneas uses a vast database of nearly 200,000 inscriptions to predict inscription dates and locations. It identifies similar inscriptions based on deeper historical connections, not just word matches. The AI can assign inscriptions to Roman provinces and estimate writing dates within 13 years. Aeneas also suggests words for missing or damaged text, tested successfully on known inscriptions. Historians tested Aeneas on the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, achieving results consistent with scholarly debate. Another test revealed linguistic influences on a votive altar through subtle similarities. The researchers found Aeneas significantly improved their workflow, leading to breakthroughs. The details are published in Nature, and Aeneas is available online for researchers. The tool's ability to connect inscriptions through historical context is a significant advancement in the field.