Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has made a notable contribution to the field of archaeology by donating $1 million through the Musk Foundation to the American Institute for Roman Culture (AIRC). This generous donation supports an initiative aimed at launching a digital renaissance of archaeological research, with the goal of reimagining life in ancient Rome and potentially rewriting history books through the use of AI technology.
The funds will be allocated to the AIRC’s Ancient Rome Live platform, which is dedicated to documenting and preserving Roman heritage as part of its Expandere Conscientiae Lumen initiative. At an October 24 ceremony hosted by the AIRC, Musk emphasized his deep interest in ancient Rome, stating that the city constitutes a significant part of the history of Western civilization.
This latest contribution is part of Musk’s long-standing fascination with Roman history. Earlier in 2025, Musk was spotted at the Colosseum and the Pantheon during his trip to Rome, further demonstrating his enduring intrigue with the ancient city. In an X post from August, Musk pondered whether Marcus Aurelius could have done more to carry Rome to greater heights, reflecting his admiration for the city’s historical and cultural significance.
Musk has also previously highlighted Rome’s engineering achievements, noting in a 2023 post that ‘the main reason Rome won was because they had the best engineering.’ His belief in the importance of Roman history and technological advancements aligns with the broader trend of AI being increasingly integrated into archaeological research to fill gaps in historical knowledge and provide new insights into ancient civilizations.
The AIRC has expressed its commitment to using the donation to advance its mission of fostering global understanding and appreciation of the ancient Roman world through education, research, and innovation. Director Darius Arya described the grant as ‘a pivotal moment’ for the Ancient Rome Live project, underscoring the significance of Musk’s contribution to the field.
This initiative is not the first instance of AI being applied to archaeological research. Earlier this year, a group of researchers from the Netherlands, Italy, and Denmark discovered that the Dead Sea Scrolls were older than previously thought, thanks to an AI model. This highlights the growing role of AI in uncovering historical truths and reshaping our understanding of the past.
As the field of archaeology continues to evolve with the integration of advanced technologies, Musk’s contribution to the AIRC marks a significant step forward in the digital renaissance of ancient Roman history. The project promises to provide new insights into the ancient world and reshape historical narratives through the power of AI.