Debating AI in Archaeology: applications, implications, and ethical considerations

Internet Archaeology

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a recent development. However, with increasing computational capabilities, AI has developed into Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning, technologies particularly good at detecting correlations and patterns, and categorising, predicting, or extracting information. Within archaeology, AI can process big data accumulated over decades of research and deposited in archives. By combining these capabilities, AI offers new insights and exciting opportunities to create knowledge from archaeological archives for contemporary and future research. However, the ethical implications and human costs are not yet fully understood. Therefore, we question whether AI in archaeology is a blessing or a curse.

Authors 4

1. Martina Tenzer corresponding
2. Giada Pistilli
3. Alex Bransden Aachen

   Leiden University · Sorbonne Université · University of York · Sheffield Hallam University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

   Sheffield Hallam University

   Sorbonne University

   University of York

4. Alex Shenfield Aachen

   Leiden University · Sorbonne Université · University of York · Sheffield Hallam University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

   Sheffield Hallam University

   Sorbonne University

   University of York