Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris will be digitally recreated using artificial intelligence, U.S. tech giant Microsoft announced through its president, Brad Smith.
The project will be developed by Microsoft’s AI for Good division in partnership with French start-up Iconem and the French Ministry of Culture, according to Euronews.
The initiative aims to produce a digital “clone” of the iconic structure, allowing people from around the world to explore Notre-Dame virtually.
According to Brad Smith, the project will take at least one year, during which IT specialists will scan every square centimetre of the cathedral to build an accurate digital replica.
Once completed, the digital copy will be donated to the French government and will be featured in a future museum dedicated to the cathedral, which was reopened last year following restoration after the devastating 2019 fire.
Following the Model of St. Peter’s Basilica
Notre-Dame is not the first historical building to undergo such a digital transformation. In 2023, Microsoft and Iconem also launched a project titled “St. Peter’s Basilica – An Enhanced AI Experience”, aiming to create a digital replica of the renowned Roman basilica.
According to Brad Smith, such virtual models allow access to areas normally off-limits to tourists, including ancient Roman tombs beneath the basilica.
The initiative uses cutting-edge video and drone technology to capture every detail of the site, enabling immersive online visits for global audiences.
Photo: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris / Facebook
