Minecraft Education has introduced “Peter Is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage,” a new learning experience that allows players to explore and restore St. Peter’s Basilica using AI-powered tools.
Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, the Vatican, and tech startup Iconem, the project brings one of the Catholic Church’s holiest sites into the Minecraft Education edition, offering students an interactive way to learn about history, art, STEM, and digital literacy.
Players start in “Restoration Mode,” taking on the role of the Sanpietrini, the team responsible for preserving the Basilica. They will use simulated AI tools to assess damage, repair structures, and restore key historical elements such as St. Peter’s Tomb and Bernini’s Baldachin. Every restoration decision visibly impacts the Basilica’s appearance, allowing students to see their progress in real time.
After restoration, students can switch to “Exploration Mode” to tour the fully restored Basilica and uncover its hidden secrets.
The project leverages Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab to process photogrammetry data, ensuring an accurate digital representation of the Basilica. Licensed Minecraft Education users can access the lesson in the Minecraft Education library, while a trial version is available for free with an Office 365 or Microsoft 365 Education account.
This initiative follows Microsoft’s unveiling of a digital twin of St. Peter’s Basilica last year, launched in preparation for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee celebrations.
