Synthetic Pasts (2026-2028)
Synthetic Pasts will deploy an experimental approach where we train and interact with open source pre-trained models for generative AI (Stable Diffusion, Mistral, Llama etc), while posing questions of critical and historical nature concerning machine generated historic texts and images. The project will thus provide a controlled research environment meticulously designed to observe and to document the training process of generative AI. The training data chosen, ranges across historical literary fiction, art and comics, scientific images and texts from the 19th and 20th century.
Details
- Funder: Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Foundation
About the project
Synthetic Pasts aims at the potentials and pitfalls that arise
with synthetic images and texts. The purpose is to
investigate how AI writes and relates to history in order to a)
examine critically how history is formed through technical
processes of generative AI; b) provide critical perspectives on
historic authenticity of machine generated historical images
and texts; c) reflect upon additional implementation of such
technologies in the cultural and creative industries.
The primary significance of the project is that it develops a
concrete and practical method for working with and critically
investigating the synthetic production of generative AI-
models. By applying state-of-the art theory to a structured
workflow, as well as specific application of advanced AI-
approaches such as fine-tuning of AI systems on historical
data, the methodology employs synthetic creativity as a
research tool with the capability of not only creating but also
identifying new patterns of historical reality (see Theory,
Methods), thus essentially exposing misinformation. The
project will therefore produce new insights on the societal
impact of generative AI, as well as to provide the means for
its further application by individuals, professionals and
institutions (archives, libraries, heritage organisations), thus
revolutionising the work of professionals in the cultural and
creative industries.