A Ghost in the Machine, or a Gladiator in the Colosseum?
I’ve always been a sceptic when it comes to tech fads, but this one feels different. The idea is simple. You point your phone, or better yet, wear a pair of smart glasses, at an ancient site, and digital information overlays the real world. Suddenly, the crumbled walls of Pompeii reassemble themselves, showing you the city as it was moments before Vesuvius blew its top. It transforms a passive viewing into an active experience.
Funnily enough, we have the pandemic to thank for accelerating this. With global travel at a standstill, the tourism industry, an industry not exactly known for its lightning-fast innovation, was forced to get creative. What began as a desperate attempt to lure people back has now become a powerful tool for engagement. It seems even the most venerable institutions are realising that to survive, they need to offer more than just old stones and plaques.