VIRTUAL Prague Research & Teaching Conference

Abstract

Integrating AI-generated visualisations into historical study provides an engaging approach to deepening students’ understanding of the past, particularly as they build academic literacy through visualisation as a Cognitive Learning Strategy. This method, however, should complement rather than overshadow the irreplaceable value of historical paintings and photographs. These artefacts capture “a foreign country” where people “did things differently” (Hartley, 1953), preserving the cultural nuances, symbolism, and everyday realities of their time. Paintings offer interpretive depth and symbolic richness, while photographs provide candid, unfiltered glimpses into historical detail. Together, they invite students to engage critically, analysing details and meanings—skills essential for developing academic literacy. AI-generated visualisations add an accessible, dynamic dimension, supporting students who may struggle to fully imagine historical settings from static images alone. By introducing motion and atmosphere, AI visualisations foster connection and empathy, enhancing memory retention and comprehension. Yet, the authenticity and interpretive richness of original artworks remain central. AI tools in this respect should serve as supplementary aids that enhance cognitive engagement, allowing students to construct historical understanding while remaining grounded in the historical context provided by original artefacts. Thoughtfully employed, AI visualisations help students navigate history with curiosity and respect, bringing the past into focus in a way that makes historical study both impactful and academically enriching .