As digitalisation, datafication, and algorithmisation [automation] advance, the Humanities undergo a profound transformation. This computational turn is marked by, for example, expanding digital archives, new requirements for data management plans, and the introduction of innovative technologies in research and education. These technologies – such as generative AI, automatic speech and handwriting recognition, text mining software, and network visualisations – are significantly reshaping the landscape of knowledge production.

To assist in this evolving landscape, the CDH was established in 2020. We aim to empower all Faculty of Humanities staff and students by enriching their digital competencies, and fostering an ethical and critical approach to digital humanities & AI.

Firstly, the CDH organises a wide range of tailored courses, workshops, and lectures to enhance the computational skills, knowledge, and confidence of staff members and students while expanding their DH support network.

Secondly, the CDH encourages collaboration between humanities researchers and DH specialists, such as data experts, privacy officers, and statistics advisors. For instance, the CDH provides regular support in areas such as data ethics, network analysis, statistical research designs, GDPR, and data management.

Thirdly, the Faculty of Humanities benefits from an exceptional in-house team of research software engineers (with humanities backgrounds) who can modify existing software or design and develop new advanced tools for humanities research and education.

In the cultural heritage domain, a growing number of archival materials are being digitised to facilitate searching through vast amounts of data, including historical newspapers, images, books, films, and audio fragments. Text mining tools support quick searches and the discovery of new connections through visualisations. AI-powered automatic handwriting recognition tools, for example, enable historians to access and analyze handwritten texts on an unprecedented scale.

Linguistic researchers investigate the acquisition and system of language by collecting participant responses to spoken and written language using sophisticated research techniques such as EEG and eye tracking, and use computer programs to transcribe and analyze spoken language.

Media researchers computationally explore radio and television recordings and link them to textual sources for interdisciplinary research.

Generative AI is increasingly being used by all Humanities students and staff. While its potential is widely promoted, it is often overstated and actively pushed into higher education by Big Tech, which calls for critical scrutiny. Supporting responsible and informed use of these technologies in research and education requires a solid understanding of their underlying principles. Recognising generative AI as a form of “autocomplete on steroids” is key to engaging with its limitations and addressing the many ethical challenges it presents.

When humanities researchers, teachers, and students are well-versed in current digital methods, they can efficiently search digital platforms while a fundamental understanding of underlying algorithms ensures a critical analysis of results.

Researchers can quickly gain insights from vast amounts of data and apply computational methods to search, analyze, visualise, interpret, and even enrich various data collections.

Moreover, they can critically and ethically reflect on digital humanities and AI in all its dimensions.

The operational staff at the Centre for Digital Humanities is embedded within the Faculty of Humanities as the section Humanities IT (SolisID required). The Humanities IT section comprises all research engineers, system engineers, developers, lab technicians, knowledge valorisation officers, education/research officers, data stewards, privacy officers, and support staff working at the CDH. Researchers collaborating with the CDH are employed at their respective departments.

In addition to staffing the operations of the Research Software Lab, ILS Labs, Data School, and the Data Management & Privacy team, Humanities IT also provides IT services through its Humanities IT Services group.

Visit the Data Science & Artificial Intelligence page for an overview of the research, education, news, backgrounds, events, and collaborations within these domains at Utrecht University.