This brings back memories of Microsoft's acquisition of SeaDragon. At the time they had a really compelling demo (at least for me) of reconstructing 3D locations based on a smatterings of photos.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seadragon_Software

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFSsTwXLqsc

Seeing a digital version of it in such detail only further reinforces how important it is to experience it in person.

Few sights of man-made things have instilled as much awe in me as La Basilica Di San Pietro and most of them are also in Rome (namely the Pantheon and Moses @ Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli).

This reminds me strongly of Microsoft Photosynth. Can't help wondering what the lineage between the two looks like.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynth

https://medium.com/@dddexperiments/why-i-preserved-photosynt...

Direct link to the virtual tour: https://virtual.basilicasanpietro.va/en

What does AI have to do with this? They thoroughly scanned the thing, where's the need for AI?