A Few Days at the University of Coimbra

My recent stay in Coimbra was both inspiring and very enjoyable. I was grateful for the opportunity to speak at the University of Coimbra, the oldest university in Portugal and one of Europe’s most historic academic institutions. Being there, surrounded by centuries of scholarship and academic life, felt quite special and served as a gentle reminder of the long traditions of learning that continue to shape the work we do today.

I had the pleasure of presenting my lecture, “Quando a Experiência Humana Encontra os Algoritmos: O Papel dos Historiadores na Era da Inteligência Artificial,” during the CHSC Annual Research Seminar – The Worlds of History. New Perspectives and Debates. It was an honor to open this year’s seminar series and to reflect together on how historians can engage thoughtfully with the growing role of artificial intelligence in research and society.

I am very grateful for the warm invitation and generous hospitality of my colleagues in Coimbra, especially José Pedro Paiva, Maria Antónia Lopes, Jaime Ricardo Gouveia, and Maria Amélia Álvaro de Campos, who organize this inspiring seminar. My thanks also go to Miguel Bandeira Jerónimo for the invitation and for the stimulating conversations during my visit.

Beyond the lecture itself, what I will remember most are the conversations with colleagues and students and the thoughtful questions that followed the talk. I felt warmly welcomed in Coimbra and left with a deep appreciation for the openness and generosity of its academic community.

Visiting Coimbra was personally meaningful to me. For many years, I had hoped to spend time at this university, whose history and traditions I have long admired. Being there made the experience even more special.

Link: The Worlds of History – Centro de História da Sociedade e da Cultura