Masking Time: MIT’s AI-Driven, Reversible Art Restoration

An inside look at MIT’s AI polymer masks—the reversible, color-accurate two-layer films that let conservators repair damaged paintings in hours rather than months. We trace how targeted computer vision, human expertise, and advanced polymers come together to predict and reproduce missing details, while preserving the original work and creating a complete digital restoration record. From Alex Katchkin’s origin story to the ethics and impact on museums, this episode explores how science and craft are reshaping cultural preservation and access.

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