What can AI do with special collections?

This research project investigates the question of " what can AI do with special collections " by testing thirty-three software tools on a manuscript collection. The authors provide an in-depth analysis of their experiences with specific AI tools applied to untranscribed documents (handwritten and typewritten) and photographs in the William Elliot Griffis Collection at Rutgers University Libraries. The evaluated tools range from end-user generative AI to APIs requiring Python programming and include software that is commercial and open-source; fee-based and free; web browser-based and standalone; and intended to run in desktop, mobile devices and High Performance Computing clusters environments. The software is used to