The workshop explores the potential of human-AI collaboration for handwritten historical sources. After an introduction to the principles of human-AI collaboration, current research on this topic, and general challenges in AI-supported research in the humanities, we will present the results of a proof of concept prototype developed in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Michael Goebel and aureka, an AI development company and spin-off of Freie Universität Berlin. This proof of concept prototype illustrates how AI can support historical research in the case of 19th century handwritten quantitative and qualitative documents. The presentation will be followed by a discussion exploring both the opportunities and specific challenges of AI-supported approaches in the field of historical research.

The workshop is primarily aimed at those engaged in historical research, but is also open to other humanities scholars, students and professionals in the cultural heritage sector, and anyone interested in the intersection of AI and historical document analysis.

The first part of the workshop will run from 14:00 to 16:00. There will be an additional session from 16:00 to 18:00 to discuss the next steps in moving from proof of concept to a research proposal. Those interested in contributing to this discussion are welcome to attend.

If you wish to participate, please send an email to dh@ada.fu-berlin.de until Friday, 14.03.2025. Please indicate in your email if you wish to participate also in the second part (until 18:00) or only until 16:00. For those of you that cannot attend in person, you can join the workshop via Webex. A link will be provided upon your registration via email.