Microsoft Creates Digital Twin of Notre-Dame Cathedral for Preservation

Microsoft has partnered with the French government and the heritage institute Iconem to create a digital twin of the 862-year-old Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, following its reopening after a devastating fire and five years of restoration. This digital replica, employing advanced imaging and AI, aims to preserve every architectural detail and provide virtual access to the monument, supporting both ongoing maintenance and broader public engagement. The project will also digitize other French cultural artifacts, with the digital twin to be donated to the French State and featured in the future Musée Notre Dame de Paris. Building on previous collaborations, including a digital replica of St. Peter's Basilica, Microsoft emphasizes that such digital preservation efforts offer invaluable historical records that will benefit future generations. The initiative is part of a larger effort to enhance cultural heritage conservation through technology, including expanding AI language models for European languages. The project is expected to take at least a year and cost several million dollars.