Generative History

Has Google Quietly Solved Two of AI’s Oldest Problems?

A mysterious new model currently in testing on Google’s AI Studio is nearly perfect on automated handwriting recognition but it is also showing signs of…

Oct 17 • 

Mark Humphries

22

18

June 2025

Open-Source Archive Studio App Available for PC Users

Users who aren't comfortable running python scripts can now download the open-source PC App

Jun 16 • 

Mark Humphries

 and 

Lianne C. Leddy

7

1

Steering a Middle Course on AI in the History Classroom

We need to teach our students when to use AI, when to avoid it, and how to get the most out of it—not to pretend it doesn't exist.

Jun 13 • 

Mark Humphries

14

6

May 2025

Introducing Archive Studio

An experimental AI research tool for exploring the AI transcription and analysis of historical documents

May 13 • 

Mark Humphries

 and 

Lianne C. Leddy

17

15

March 2025

Stochastic Canaries in the Coalmine

Without good information, it’s hard to prepare for the future.

Mar 6 • 

Mark Humphries

41

4

February 2025

Is this the Last Generation of Historians?

OpenAI’s Deep Research is a strange and shockingly powerful agentic AI research assistant that offers a clear glimpse of the future. But where do we fit…

Feb 7 • 

Mark Humphries

51

34

November 2024

Transcription Pearl for Non-Coders and Next Steps

I've added a manual and downloadable executable file for non-coders who want to try Transcription Pearl on Windows PCs (sorry Mac users)

Nov 12, 2024 • 

Mark Humphries

2

5

Introducing Transcription Pearl

A Practical AI Tool for the Automated Transcription of Historical Handwritten Documents with State-of-the-Art Accuracy

Nov 1, 2024 • 

Mark Humphries

10

11

September 2024

Why OpenAI’s New Model Might Change Everything for Researchers

LLMs don’t need to be perfect, they need to be reliable. O1 is a huge step in that direction.

Sep 13, 2024 • 

Mark Humphries

3

3

May 2024

Making the Infeasible Practical in Historical Research

Developing AI Research Tools for Historical Research and General Release

May 31, 2024 • 

Mark Humphries

9

4

February 2024

Microsoft Copilot Necessitates Some Tough Conversations

The integration of generative AI directly into word processors will give rise to a new, acceptable form of synthesized AI-human writing and universities…

Feb 16, 2024 • 

Mark Humphries

7

November 2023

Growing the Knowledge Gap: OpenAI's New Updates Are Important for Researchers in the Arts

Generative AI technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed... but many people and institutions, including universities, risk being left behind

Nov 9, 2023 • 

Mark Humphries

5

3