Scientific Seminar “Digital Archaeology and AI: The Transformation of Methods of Data Analysis and Interpretation”

         On March 18, 2026, the Faculty of History at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University hosted the scientific seminar “Digital Archaeology and AI: The Transformation of Methods of Data Analysis and Interpretation.” The seminar brought together faculty members of the Department of Archaeology and Ethnology, as well as undergraduate students, master’s students, and doctoral candidates. The event was organized within the framework of the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, declared in Kazakhstan for 2026.

            The keynote presentation, “Digital Archaeology and AI: Opportunities and Limitations in the Analysis and Interpretation of Archaeological Data,” was delivered by Candidate of Historical Sciences G.T. Kazhenova. The speaker emphasized that artificial intelligence does not replace the researcher, but rather serves as a tool that can accelerate the processing of large volumes of archaeological information, including images, 3D models, publications, catalogues, and databases. Particular attention was given to the fact that the final interpretation of archaeological material remains the professional and scholarly responsibility of the specialist.

          Senior Lecturer D.T. Tleugabulov presented a report titled “The Use of GIS Technologies in the Search for Hidden Archaeological Structures.” The presentation focused on the potential of geoinformation analysis of microrelief in the study of archaeological sites. Drawing on specific examples, the speaker demonstrated how digital methods and specialized software make it possible to identify hidden ritual structures, clarify the spatial organization of sites, and expand the possibilities for documenting archaeological heritage.

          Another presentation, “Ethical Aspects of the Use of AI in Contemporary Archaeology,” was delivered by T.V. Brynza, a doctoral student in the Archaeology and Ethnology educational program. The report addressed issues related to the transparency of AI use, the researcher’s responsibility for interpreting results, the need for critical verification of source data, and the importance of maintaining a human-centered approach in academic work.

            During the discussion, the seminar participants noted that the most productive model of interaction is one in which digital tools and artificial intelligence algorithms assist in systematizing and analyzing materials, while the researcher retains the central role in their scholarly interpretation. The seminar became an important platform for professional dialogue on the prospects of digital archaeology, interdisciplinary approaches, and new directions in the development of archaeological scholarship in the context of digital transformation.