San Francisco's Sutro Baths, a grand bathing palace that once stood on the city's coast, has been digitally resurrected decades after its destruction by fire. The feat was accomplished using Atlas, a new AI model developed by World Labs, an artificial intelligence startup co-founded by computer scientist Fei-Fei Li.
Atlas, described by World Labs as an "omni model," can generate 3D worlds from 2D images, video, and text. The model analyzes an image, understands the spatial relationships of objects within it, and generates plausible continuations beyond the original frame. Unlike other models, Atlas interprets images beyond mere pixels, aiming to create a cohesive and consistent 3D representation.
A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) showcases Atlas's capabilities by digitally reconstructing the Sutro Baths, which were once the world's largest indoor swimming establishment. The AI's output generates a pixel-perfect 3D environment based on historical photographs.
Adolph Sutro, a self-made millionaire and former mayor of San Francisco, developed the Sutro Baths in 1894. The massive complex could accommodate up to 10,000 visitors and featured seven pools: six saltwater pools maintained at different temperatures and one freshwater pool. Built adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, the pools were naturally filled by high tides, requiring approximately one hour to reach the 1.7 million-gallon capacity.
Beyond its aquatic facilities, the Baths hosted events like band concerts and talent shows, and its entrance hall displayed art and artifacts from around the globe. However, following Sutro's death in 1898, the establishment experienced a gradual decline. Developers acquired the property in 1964 with plans to build high-rise apartments, but a fire destroyed the baths two years later. The site eventually became part of the U.S. National Park Service.