# Mollick suggests funding AI translation of backlogged ancient texts

> Original title: A bunch of funded projects to unblock some long-standing backlogs in translations using AI would be interesting; especially when AI model...

- Source: Ethan Mollick
- Published: 2026-11-01T14:49:51.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/w4032g8km9y5d02hsrjycgekb
- Original: https://x.com/emollick/status/2116905564680687831

## Summary

Ethan Mollick argues that funded projects could use AI to clear long-standing translation backlogs, including untranslated ancient texts. He says models can already give a reasonable first pass at interpretation and significance, not just translation. He points to the Oxyrhynchus Papyri as a major repository of untranslated work.

## Post

A bunch of funded projects to unblock some long-standing backlogs in translations using AI would be interesting; especially when AI models can do a reasonable first pass at interpretation & significance, not just translation. There are major repositories of untranslated ancient work in many places, like the Oxyrhynchus Papyri https://oxyrhynchus.web.ox.ac.uk/home