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Bernini, Raphael and (very) artificial intelligence

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For the past few weeks, the phrase "artificial intelligence" has been on everyone’s lips. This is due in part to the release of ChatGPT, a "conversational robot" that is supposed to be able to answer questions on "any topic imaginable", according to this article and many others that have been published since. Some even claim that the tool could create high-scoring school papers, to the point that Sciences Po felt it necessary to ban its use. This says more about the current level of students than about the real capacity of this software. At least in the field of art history, as we shall see.
However, we do not wish to question or doubt the amazing progress made by computer developers. The site does indeed make it possible to hold an apparently logical and sensible conversation with a machine. It is undoubtedly a tool that can be used for many purposes. There is no doubt that it will be able to replace the "journalists" who are currently responsible for rewriting agency dispatches or press releases without adding any real value to them. This is not a big deal. But before he can investigate, prioritise and analyse information, or write real art history articles, we have some time to go.


1. Screenshot of our conversation with ChatGPT
See the image in its page
2. Screenshot of our conversation with ChatGPT
See the image in its page

So back to our discipline. We asked ChatGPT about a few fairly simple topics. The answers are hilarious. For example, on Bernini, we learned, in addition to some generalities, that he was the author of Saint-Pierre-de-Montmartre, the Trevi Fountain, and the tomb of Louis XIV at Versailles. This interesting information was obtained on several occasions. When we tell him that he is wrong, ChatGPT is not the type to be offended. He apologises flatly and gives us new information, often just as wrong. For example, when we explain to him that Bernini never sculpted a tomb for Louis XIV (who died in…

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