Microsoft has used AI to create the world's first 3D replica of the Vatican's largest cathedral

A highly accurate virtual reconstruction will allow everyone to explore St. Peter's Basilica virtually.

The Fabbrica di San Pietro, a Catholic institution responsible for the preservation of the basilica, has begun a partnership with Microsoft to create a "digital twin" of the structure. Each year, around 15 million pilgrims visit St. Peter's Basilica to admire the masterpieces of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

To implement the project, Microsoft has brought in the company IconemIconem is a global leader in creating three-dimensional copies of remarkable historical monuments and archaeological sites., which specializes in the digital preservation of historical landmarks. Experts utilized the Azure cloud platform and photogrammetry technology to accurately reproduce the architecture.

The Iconem team captured over 400,000 high-resolution photographs. For three weeks, specialists scanned the basilica using drones, cameras, and lasers. Image processing was carried out on the Microsoft Azure platform, while artificial intelligence assisted in visualizing both the interior and exterior spaces of the structure.

Microsoft's AI for Good lab provided the tools for refining the digital copy with millimeter accuracy. Artificial intelligence helped identify and map the structure's damages—from cracks to missing mosaic pieces—to plan repair work.

“This project allows us to rediscover our human essence and unites us all,” noted Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the archpriest of the basilica.

Interactive websites and exhibitions will soon be launched, where everyone can see St. Peter's Basilica in digital format.

Source: Neowin