DOI: 10.65266/YTMV3445
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Bibliographical Information: Agostini, Caterina. “Deciphering the Past: AI-Enhanced Reading of the Manuscripts of Galilei and Harriot.” Annali d’italianistica 43 (2025): 15-36.
Abstract: How do we read historical manuscripts in their digital form? This paper examines the intersection of human and machine reading through a comparative analysis of in-person and AI-assisted interpretations of texts by Galileo Galilei and his English contemporary, Thomas Harriot. Drawing on case studies, it explores the use of tools such as Transkribus, GPT-4, and Amazon Web Services in teaching early modern primary sources. As students use AI tools alongside traditional reading skills to model transcription workflows, questions arise regarding iteration, validation, and scholarly responsibility. By integrating Handwritten Text Recognition technologies with close reading and paleographic analysis, the study reflects on the transformative potential—and limitations—of artificial intelligence in humanities research and pedagogy.
Key Words: Galileo Galilei, Thomas Harriot, Pedagogy and Manuscript Studies, Artificial Intelligence, Handwritten Text Recognition.
