The field of Syriac Digital Humanities continues to advance rapidly, moving from basic text recognition (as discussed in my previous posts on OCR/HTR, particularly our launch of the first public Syriac HTR model on Transkribus: From Vienna to the World…) into the realm of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Today’s post explores a powerful new possibility: using AI image models to generate visual reconstructions of damaged Syriac manuscripts and fragments.
Traditional manuscript study is often hampered by the physical condition of the primary sources. Ink bleed, physical damage, and fragmentary nature can obscure crucial text and prevent scholars from appreciating the original appearance of a manuscript page. Generative AI offers a novel solution: Visual Reconstruction and Completing Fragments.