Cinelli Lecture 2025

Cinelli Lecture by Professor Maurizo Forte, at the Embassy of Italy, Washington DC

Lecture on Art, Archaeology, and Artificial Intelligence

On March 7, 2025, the Embassy of Italy hosted the Etruscan Foundation’s Annual Cinelli lecture.  The lecture brought together the fields of art, archaeology, and artificial intelligence. The event filled the Embassy’s main lecture hall as attendees were eager to explore the intersection of these disciplines. The lecture by Dr. Maurizio Forte delved into how our minds perceive and understand ancient artifacts, and how experiencing historic spaces can foster cultural exchange.  A key focus was on the use of AI tools, such as neural networks, to rethink archaeological sites and monuments as dynamic entities that evolve with each observation and interpretation. One of the highlights was the discussion on the famous Etruscan Sarcophagus of the Spouses, housed at the Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome. This artifact has been digitally reconstructed using AI models and brainwave (EEG) analysis to study how people respond to virtual simulations when encountering it. By combining AI and biometric tools to measure engagement, the approach demonstrated how technology can offer new perspectives on the ancient world and how we see it. Dr. Maurizio Forte, a pioneer in digital and cyber archaeology, challenged the audience to reconsider the act of viewing as an active process that creates rich, layered stories shaped by memory, context, and technology. Dr. Forte, who holds the William and Sue Gross Distinguished Professorship of Classical Studies Art, Art History, and Visual Studies at Duke University, was joined by P. Gregory Warden, Ph.D., President of the Etruscan Foundation. Dr. Warden, with over 50 years of experience in Mediterranean archaeology, moderated the post lecture discussion, enriching the audience’s dialogue with his extensive knowledge of Etruscan archaeology.