by InTrieste
In a groundbreaking initiative at the intersection of literature and technology, a team from the Departments of Humanities, Engineering and Architecture, and Mathematics and Computer Science has developed a project that connects the works of Dante Alighieri and William Shakespeare with the power of Artificial Intelligence, creating interactive digital environments that allow modern users to engage with these literary giants.
“We’ve created corpora starting from the works of Dante and Shakespeare,” says one of the project’s lead researchers, professor Piergiorgio Trevisan. “Now, we give people the possibility to interact with these iconic authors, asking them about anything from their own works to contemporary issues.”
The project offers an innovative experience for both academics and casual readers alike. Participants can now ask Dante or Shakespeare questions not just about their celebrated works, but also on modern-day topics such as climate change, social media influencers, or global politics. These virtual versions of the authors respond in ways that reflect their original voices and perspectives.
“You might ask Shakespeare what he thinks about climate change, or Dante about the concept of social media influencers,” the researcher explains. “And they’ll answer as Shakespeare or Dante would have answered, blending their historical contexts with present-day themes.”
By providing a fusion of past and present, this initiative is pushing the boundaries of how we interact with the humanities in the digital age.
“This project is about much more than just literature,” adds the researcher. “It’s about engaging with timeless works through a modern lens, and in doing so, expanding our understanding of both the past and the present.”
For those interested in witnessing the interaction of technology and classical literature firsthand, the team encourages visitors to experience the project in action during Trieste Next festival in piazza Unità. “It’s pretty cool,” the researcher adds with a smile. “Come and have a look.”
