Blog

Filters
Categories:
Authors:
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Don't miss out on the latest news!
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
A man using a laptop in a trench discovering digital history revolution.

Generative AI and the (Tame) Digital History Revolution

What is the transformative potential of generative AI like ChatGPT in historical research? Beyond its writing abilities, generative AI can analyze data, summarize text, and create visual aids like graphs and charts. This technology promises to revolutionize historical research, simplifying data processing and opening new avenues for exploration in the digital era of history.
Mark Humphries
Mark Humphries
September 14, 2023
8
min read
Generative AI
History
A desk with two monitors displaying the ai hallucinations.

Hallucinations in Generative AI Models

Discover the mathematical underpinnings behind AI hallucinations and the significance of latent spaces. Despite the ability to handle vast datasets efficiently, generative models sometimes produce "hallucinations," creative but inaccurate outputs.
Ivan Sysoev
Ivan Sysoev
September 12, 2023
3
min read
Generative AI
Digital Humanities
"The Ambassadors" (1533) by Holbein depicts two figures with scientific instruments, symbolizing Renaissance knowledge. A distorted skull at the bottom serves as a reminder of mortality.

Cliodynamics and Mathematical Models in History. Part 3

Artzrouni and Komlos's 1996 spatial model visually represents territorial dynamics in Europe from 500 to 1800 AD using a grid system. The model underscores the influence of a state's border position and suggests coastal countries form more predictably than inland ones. However, it highlights the limitations of solely using geopolitical mechanisms to predict empire dynamics. Turchin believes other factors, like Ibn Khaldun's concept of "asabiyyah" (collective solidarity), play a significant role in empire rise and fall.
Dr. Alexander Tsikhilov
Dr. Alexander Tsikhilov
August 17, 2023
3
min read
Mathematical Models in Historical Processes
Cliodynamics
Rubens' "A Hippopotamus and Crocodile Hunt" depicts a chaotic scene of men battling a fierce hippopotamus and crocodile amidst a turbulent waterscape.

Cliodynamics and Mathematical Models in History. Part 2

Peter Turchin utilizes the Lotka-Volterra (predator-prey) equation, originally designed to model population dynamics between predators and their prey, to understand the complexities of medieval agrarian states. These states, according to Turchin, can be viewed as oscillating systems influenced by variables like territory size and military success. Drawing from Randall Collins' geopolitical theory, Turchin identifies key parameters such as geopolitical resources, logistic loads, and peripheral position. The interplay of these variables results in non-linear relationships between territory size and rate of change, suggesting there's an equilibrium point beyond which territorial expansion becomes inefficient for the state.
Dr. Alexander Tsikhilov
Dr. Alexander Tsikhilov
August 10, 2023
4
min read
Cliodynamics
Mathematical Models in Historical Processes
Léon Cogniet's 1835 painting depicts Napoleon's expedition to Egypt, capturing the drama and ambition of the era with detailed figures and vivid landscapes.

Ontological Bridges: Fusing Archaeology, Digital Technology, and AI for a Comprehensive View of History

The University of Barcelona's team is exploring how combining AI, digital technology, and archaeological methods can provide a deeper understanding of history. Their research introduces concepts like Units of Topography and Actor to enrich archaeological standards. This approach aims to make history more accessible and better understood through modern technology while valuing human interpretation.
Fedor Ragin
Fedor Ragin
August 3, 2023
3
min read
Unit of Stratigraphy (US)
Units of Topography (UT)
Ontological Bridges
Archaeology
History
"The Art of Painting" by Johannes Vermeer depicts a painter at an easel, capturing a young woman dressed as the muse Clio. The studio setting showcases a map, chandelier, and draped curtain. This masterpiece celebrates artistic creation, with the woman symbolizing history and fame through her trumpet and book.

Cliodynamics and Mathematical Models in History. Part 1

Introduced by Peter Turchin in 2003, cliodynamics uses mathematical models to analyze long-term historical trends. Drawing from the concept of “asabiyyah” (social solidarity), Turchin focused on medieval agrarian societies, using differential equations and multi-agent modeling. He identified various growth patterns in state dynamics and emphasized the need for negative feedback in models, highlighting the cyclical nature of historical growth and decline.
Dr. Alexander Tsikhilov
Dr. Alexander Tsikhilov
July 27, 2023
2
min read
History
Cliodynamics
Mathematical Models in Historical Processes
Predictive Modelling for Historical Events
A painting attributed to the Venetian artist Titian and his assistants, painted in 1550-1565. The painting depicts three human heads facing in different directions, painted above three animal heads: a wolf, a lion and a dog.

Predicting the Past: Harnessing Event Prediction Techniques for Historical Research

In an era fuelled by the might of big data, the question arises: can the blossoming field of event prediction enrich the realm of historical research? Delving into this interdisciplinary area, while recognizing its inherent complexities and potential setbacks, could be a stride towards constructing a higher quality historical timeline.
Fedor Ragin
Fedor Ragin
July 20, 2023
2
min read
Predictive Modelling for Historical Events
There are no posts matching your criteria
Try different filters.