ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH: METHODOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION AND EPISTEMOLOGICAL CHALLENGES IN THE 21ST CENTURY Author: Javier Rodríguez Luna Affiliation: School of History, Faculty of Humanities National University Federico Villareal, Lima, Peru ABSTRACT The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into historical research represents an unprecedented methodological transformation that challenges the traditional paradigms of the discipline. This article examines the impact of AI technologies on contemporary historiographical practice, analyzing both their transformative potential and the epistemological risks associated with their implementation. Through a systematic review of specialized literature and paradigmatic cases, it is identified that AI offers revolutionary capabilities for paleographic transcription, analysis of large documentary corpora, and modeling of counterfactual scenarios. However, critical challenges related to algorithmic biases, the reproduction of Eurocentric perspectives, and the need to develop digital competencies among historians are highlighted. The study reveals that 68% of historians in training express resistance to these tools, replicating historical patterns of rejection toward technological innovations. An ethical integration framework is proposed, combining traditional methods with AI tools, emphasizing the importance of methodological triangulation and critical literacy. The findings suggest that AI will not replace historians but will radically transform their working methods, requiring a reformulation of training programs in digital humanities. Keywords: Artificial intelligence, historical research, digital humanities, historiographical methodology, digital paleography, documentary corpus analysis 1. INTRODUCTION The intersection between artificial intelligence and historical sciences constitutes one of the most disruptive phenomena in the contemporary academic landscape. While digital humanities have evolved gradually since the 1960s, the emergence of generative AI systems marks a qualitative turning point in the methodological possibilities of the historical discipline. This research arises from the need to critically analyze the implications of this technological revolution in historiographical practice, considering both its transformative potential and the epistemological challenges it poses. The primary objective is to examine how the integration of AI tools modifies traditional methods of historical research, identifying opportunities and inherent risks in this transformation.