News
Time Machines for Understanding the Past in the Present
5 Feb 2026
Within the LMU Munich’s Digital Heritage Research Colloquium Public Lectures Series
As part of the Digital Heritage Research Colloquium, Prof. Dr. Juan A. Barceló from the Autonomous University of Barcelona - Dept. of Prehistory will present a lecture titled “Time Machines for Understanding the Past in the Present.”
Abstract:
This lecture will investigate how state-of-the-art AI technologies enable us to reconstruct, simulate, and analyze historical data. By exploring leading frameworks such as neural networks, agent-based simulation and large language models, I will examine how AI generates plausible images and causal models that bring history to life. Key advantages include efficient handling of vast historical data, pattern recognition in incomplete records, and creative extrapolation to fill gaps in our understanding. However, significant limitations persist: AI-generated reconstructions can reinforce existing biases, misinterpret ambiguous contexts, and risk producing convincing but inaccurate representations. The lecture will also address ethical considerations and a discussion on validation, verification and the way to test historical recreations.
The lecture takes place on Thursday, 05 Feburary 2026, at 18:00 c.t., in Lecture Hall A119, LMU Main Building, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1.
Flyer Download: Flyer of Prof. Dr. Juan A. Barceló (JPG, 8,280 KB)