Will Historians be replaced by AI & Robots?

Key findings

GenAI is poised to enhance the work of historians by streamlining research processes and aiding in data analysis.

While it won’t completely transform the field, it will assist in tasks like summarizing information, classifying data, and generating content.

Historians will benefit from improved efficiency in decision-making and access to vast amounts of information.

This technology will complement existing skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing, allowing historians to focus on higher-level analysis and interpretation.

How could AI or automation replace or complement job activities?

Artificial intelligence, automation, and LLMs like ChatGPT could potentially enhance various processes within the field of preserving historical artifacts.

While they may assist in organizing data and analyzing its significance, they cannot fully replace the historian’s role in conducting in-depth research, presenting historical accounts, and advising on historical authenticity.

For instance, AI could streamline the cataloging process of manuscripts, but historians uniquely provide interpretation and context to historical events, ensuring a comprehensive understanding for future generations.

Job description

Researching, analyzing, recording, and interpreting historical information from various sources like government records, newspapers, interviews, films, and personal documents.