Vatican and Microsoft Launch AI Project for St. Peter's Basilica

The Vatican has partnered with Microsoft and Iconem to launch an innovative project, 'St. Peter's Basilica: AI-Enhanced Experience', which includes a digital twin of the basilica and an interactive website aimed at enhancing visitor experiences. This initiative, which employs advanced photogrammetry, utilizes over 400,000 high-resolution images captured with drones to create a detailed 3D model of the basilica. The project, unveiled ahead of the 2025 Jubilee, allows for virtual exploration and helps manage visitor flows while identifying structural vulnerabilities through AI analysis. Pope Francis has supported the effort, emphasizing the importance of ethical AI use in expanding knowledge. The new digital services will be available to visitors starting December 1, 2024, and aim to make the basilica's treasures accessible globally. Microsoft President Brad Smith highlighted the project's significance as one of the most sophisticated technological undertakings of its kind in history.