SleuthTalk: Supporting Historical Photo Identification with Private Workspaces for Collective Sensemaking and Deliberation

2026-08-17

AI Summary

为解决历史照片中人物识别问题，SleuthTalk提供了一个集成AI面部识别和协作讨论的私密工作空间，增强用户信心并支持透明决策。

Abstract

Identifying individuals in historical photographs is a critical task across fields such as history, journalism, genealogy, and archival research. While AI-based facial recognition can efficiently generate candidate matches, it often produces ambiguous results that require deeper analysis and contextual interpretation. Existing platforms lack robust support for collaborative deliberation, especially in uncertain or high-stakes cases. We present SleuthTalk, a private collaborative workspace integrated into Civil War Photo Sleuth, designed to scaffold structured comparison, discussion, and group decision-making. SleuthTalk enables users to curate custom shortlists, annotate facial features, and build consensus through structured feedback. In a mixed-methods evaluation with experienced historical photo researchers, SleuthTalk enhanced self-reported confidence, surfaced diverse perspectives, and supported transparent, reflective identifications.

Problem

• historical photo identification
• facial recognition
• collaborative deliberation

Innovation

• private collaborative workspace
• facial recognition
• historical photo identification
• collective sensemaking
• structured feedback