Artificial intelligence is commonly linked with sci-fi innovations, but one of the most remarkable achievements it has made is in linking the dots between the far past and the issues of the present. Consider the issue of the Inca Empire’s enigmatic khipus and the perpetual struggle against digital spam, for instance. Two vastly different issues—one ancient, the other contemporary—both of which are now being solved with the assistance of AI.
Let’s begin with the khipus. These knotted cords that were so complex to our modern minds were the focus of how the Inca kept information, keeping tabs on census figures, tribute, and perhaps even tales or ceremonies. But for centuries, researchers tried to grasp what the cords represented. That was until Dr. Manny Clindaniel introduced AI into the mix.
Clindaniel’s study, which The Verge has spotlighted, entailed training an artificial intelligence program to look at 37,645 of the cords from 629 distinct khipus and their colors. The AI didn’t only look at cords in splendid isolation—it considered how colors occurred in groups, seeing if it could detect patterns that would suggest meaning or purpose.
The results were striking. Unusual hues such as red, some blues, orange, yellow, grays, and greens clustered together, indicating that they weren’t randomly selected. Clindaniel speculated that the color groups may be connected with religious rites or royal protocols, substantiated by historical accounts of early Spanish chroniclers. It’s a strong indicator of AI picking up on links that are too complicated or subtle for the naked human eye.
While AI is assisting us in interpreting the past, it’s also played a key role in cracking some of our newer challenges, such as spam. A couple of generations back, spam was a credible menace to the utility of email. But rather than abolishing it outright, we came to live with it. AI-enhanced filters, more intelligent legislation (such as the CAN-SPAM Act), and heightened public consciousness coaxed what was initially an inescapable annoyance into a largely imperceptible aspect of our online existence.
As The Verge Archives observed, “The success did not come from eradicating spam, but from reducing its effect so thoroughly that it became a tolerable annoyance instead of a disturbing presence.” Spam didn’t disappear—but our capacity to filter and box it up changed radically.
So what do ancient knots and inbox filters have in common? They both show AI’s real strength: recognizing patterns, adapting to context, and making sense of chaos. Whether it’s piecing together the logic behind ancient artifacts or flagging a phishing attempt in your inbox, AI learns by seeing the big picture—and then helping us act on it.
Of course, there are challenges. As cyber threats become more and more elaborate, particularly with AI now used to create spam and scams, the arms race rages on. The question is: can the same technology that enabled us to deal with spam once again meet this next wave of AI-powered deception?
From Inca accounting in the ancient world to today’s deluge of email, AI is demonstrating its ability to be a strong bridge over time and complexity. And as the virtual world keeps developing, that bridge may be more crucial than ever before.
