A recent AI-generated image of the Virgin Mary as a teenager has reignited discussions about the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. Mexican AI artist Miguel Ángel Omaña Rojas utilized artificial intelligence to create a realistic depiction of Mary, drawing inspiration from the Virgin of Guadalupe’s image. This effort mirrors previous attempts to reconstruct Jesus’ face using the Shroud of Turin, a relic believed by some to be Jesus’ burial cloth. Recent studies employing modern x-ray technology suggest the Shroud dates back 2,000 years, aligning with the era of Jesus. However, debates persist due to conflicting research and carbon dating results. The AI-generated images have intensified discussions about the Shroud’s authenticity and the role of technology in religious representations.
Miguel Ángel Omaña Rojas, from Mexico, said he spent weeks studying the intricate facial features as they appeared in the original picture of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe.
He analyzed her facial structure, skin tone and expression to “capture gestures and expressions in a dynamic way”, the Daily Mail reports.
The tech expert then used his artificial intelligence models – which were previously trained to study large sets of data about human faces and bodies – to recreate the life-like photos.
He said in a YouTube video: “This is the most faithful approximation that artificial intelligence was able to carry out.”
