We are very happy to announce that we have been awarded funding from the FUSION R&I: Research Excellence Programme for our ‘Limestone Intelligent Mapping and Automated Process (LIMAP)’, a research study into the introduction of Artificial Intelligence as a method for mapping patterns of deterioration in limestone.
Thanks to FUSION R&I, we will have the opportunity to test how Artificial Intelligence can contribute to the assessment of the deterioration of heritage structures by developing a scalable methodology that combines object-identification with automated CAD documentation. This approach has the potential to significantly impact the process of mapping of historical facades, making it more effective by reducing human labour time while increasing accuracy.
The project aims to train an object-identification deep learning model, which will detect deterioration in images of both globigerina and coralline limestone common in Maltese built heritage, and to automate the integration of the AI model’s output into a CAD interface.
AP Valletta will lead the project, with the support of Neural AI, experts of AI network and processing who will develop and train a purposely-built AI model. Further collaboration with the University of Malta - including the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage, Department of Construction and Property Management and Department of Artificial Intelligence - will ensure continued theoretical grounding and extensive dissemination.
By leveraging AI for documentation, object-identification modelling, restoration, and continuous monitoring, the project will contribute towards the safeguard of our shared heritage for generations to come.
