Smithsonian Institution uses AI to link American Revolution artifacts

The Smithsonian Institution is utilizing artificial intelligence through a project called ‘Revolution Crossroads’ to analyze and connect artifacts related to the American Revolution. By applying AI models, researchers aim to bridge the gap between historical records and modern technology, allowing scholars and the public to draw connections across the Smithsonian’s collections and other institutions like the Library of Congress.

Since the project began in the spring, AI has successfully identified links that previously required manual catalog searches, such as connecting 1774 newspaper advertisements to specific museum objects. The initiative has already identified approximately 10,000 objects from the period between 1770 and 1810. The ultimate goal is to surface the stories of lesser-known individuals who contributed to the formation of early American communities, thereby adding new depth to the public historical record.