Cracking the code: can AI help us decipher ancient languages? (theconversation.com)

AI is stepping into the ancient world of linguistics, aiding in the decipherment of languages like Linear A and Etruscan, which have long stumped researchers due to their lack of connection to known languages. A recent breakthrough by an amateur linguist utilizing AI programming scripts claims to connect Linear A with Semitic roots, producing a 408-word lexicon. This hints at a potential link to a language family, but it's important to note that AI's role here is not to generate hypotheses but to assist in verifying them on a large scale quickly. The significance of this approach lies in AI's ability to perform extensive pattern matching across vast datasets, dramatically reducing the time needed for research. It can identify patterns and fill in gaps in fragmentary inscriptions, yet it fundamentally relies on existing knowledge frameworks, such as known language families or bilingual texts, to impart meaning. Without these anchors, AI can only detect coincidences rather than provide definitive translations. While AI enhances the efficiency of linguistic research, genuine breakthroughs still hinge on human insight and rigorous validation. Until an anchor for these elusive languages is found, AI will continue to serve as a crucial, albeit limited, tool in this complex endeavor.