A MAN has used AI to imagine what famous historical figures would like if they could take SELFIES.
Duncan Thomsen, 53, has recreated pictures from the Battle of Waterloo, the court of Cleopatra – and the Last Supper.
The Last Supper SelfieSWNS
Cleopatra takes a selfieSWNS
He has also made snaps ‘taken’ by Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I and soldiers at Agincourt.
Duncan, a freelance film editor from Brighton, believes he’s the first person to use AI for this purpose – and said the results are “hilarious”.
He said: “AI is cutting edge technology. I spent a month working out a formula of prompts, language and photographic elements to give photos this ‘selfie’ effect.
“The results are hilarious, and everyone I’ve shared my work with can’t believe how real the pictures really look.
“I’ve done Cleopatra, Queen Elizabeth I, Henry VIII, Jesus and many more.”
AI responds to prompts and commands set by the user and creates pictures by referencing billions of images online.
Duncan uses the software Midjourney, through the application Discord, to make his own photographic historical selfies.
It can be a lengthy programming process because AI requires users to tell it exactly what it needs to do and requires “absolute description”, he said.
Duncan added that he believes his technique could be used to teach history in schools.
He said: “This technology could be used in schools as a new way of teaching and engaging kids with world history – it’s like time travelling without a time machine.
“You can ask AI to be historically accurate and then it can reference anything, anywhere, everywhere – that’s the beauty of it.
“I got an eye for image through my day job and have been fortunate to have worked with some really great people.
“It’s allowed me to cross reference everything I’ve worked on and explore my imagination without limits, and this is the result!”
Queen Elizabeth I selfieSWNS
A selfie from the Battle of WaterlooSWNS
Best Phone and Gadget tips and hacks
Looking for tips and hacks for your phone? Want to find those secret features within social media apps? We have you covered…
How to delete your Instagram account
What does pending mean on Snapchat?
How to check if you’ve been blocked on WhatsApp
How to drop a pin on Google Maps
How can I change my Facebook password?
How to go live on TikTok
How to clear the cache on an iPhone
What is NFT art?
What is OnlyFans?
What does Meta mean?
Get all the latest WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and other tech gadget stories here.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at [email protected]