Bryan Casson, chairperson of the Jukskei Park Community Forum, has used Gemini AI’s Nano Banana image model to recreate some of the nation’s most recognisable statues.

The project, he says, was an experiment to test how emerging technology can help people connect with heritage in new and accessible ways. “I wanted to see what would happen if I used a brand-new AI tool to create images of our country’s famous monuments. These statues are important to us because they tell stories about our past and our heroes.”

Read more: Mandela statue unveiling on 16 Dec

Casson said the project is less about replacing history and more about making it accessible to current and future generations. “I believe AI can help us see these monuments in a new light. It can be like a new pair of glasses. We can use it to create images that make us think about a statue’s original purpose, or its place in our society today.

Also read: MMC – Statues to remain, the past is part of the present

“It could also make our history more accessible to everyone. Imagine a virtual tour where you can ask the AI questions about a statue and it gives you answers right away. Most importantly, it can help people with disabilities, who may not have had the chance before, to experience these important places and objects.”

He said, by creating these detailed digital versions, “we can make our heritage accessible to everyone, no matter their physical location or ability. This could make learning about our heritage more fun and easier for people, especially younger generations.”

As South Africa marks heritage month, Casson said his experiments show how technology can complement tradition. “AI is not a replacement for human experts, but it can be a powerful helper that saves, interprets, and shares our heritage in new and exciting ways.”

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates!