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‘Restoring’ Old Photos With AI Is a Fundamentally Broken Concept

Our take

The concept of 'restoring' old photos with AI is fundamentally flawed, as it overlooks the intricate, nuanced beauty of the original art. During my college semester in Florence, I immersed myself in a "Chemistry of Art" course that led me to the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, a treasure trove of priceless artworks. This experience illuminated the importance of preserving authenticity and the delicate craftsmanship involved in art restoration, revealing the limitations of AI in capturing the soul of these historical images.
‘Restoring’ Old Photos With AI Is a Fundamentally Broken Concept

Side-by-side photos of a yellow and white vintage car with the license plate 5180 ME; the left image is old and faded, while the right is recent, showing two smiling people inside.

When I was in college, I had the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in Florence, Italy to study. There, I took a "Chemistry of Art" class that culminated in a visit to the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, where priceless works of art are on display. It is also where many are stored and maintained.

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