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Teaching AI Maya Glyphs
Learn how computer‑vision models detect Maya glyph blocks, classify individual signs, and suggest readings using a curated epigraphic corpus, addressing data limits and ethical concerns.
The ancient Maya developed one of the most beautiful, complex, and intriguing writing systems in human history. For centuries, these glyphs recorded stories, rituals, dynasties, and the deep relationship between people, time, and the cosmos. Yet this knowledge was silenced — burned, buried, and forgotten for nearly a thousand years. Even today, only a few thousand people in the world can read Maya writing.
I will the development of an AI agent designed to help bridge that gap. Using computer vision and deep learning, the system can detect glyph blocks, identify individual signs, and suggest possible readings by comparing them to a vast epigraphic corpus. It is not perfect — but it is a powerful first step toward using artificial intelligence to preserve and reactivate knowledge that was nearly lost forever. In doing so, we demonstrate how AI can be more than just code — it can be a force for memory, preservation, and cultural resilience.
I will be presenting a live demo.