The Palace of Versailles has introduced an AI-powered experience letting visitors converse with statues in its gardens. Developed with OpenAI and French start-up Ask Mona, the project uses QR codes to enable multilingual interactive dialogue via smartphones in French, English, and Spanish, enhancing engagement at one of the world’s top heritage sites.
At the Palace of Versailles, visitors now converse with statues instead of listening to traditional audio guides, thanks to an innovation made possible by two artificial intelligence (AI) partners.
The château unveiled the project to the press on Monday evening: a joint effort between American AI systems developer OpenAI and French start-up Ask Mona, which specializes in enhancing historical content through AI.
In the palace gardens, around twenty statues are now equipped with QR codes that launch interactive voice conversations on visitors’ smartphones—in French, English, or Spanish. The statues can respond to a wide range of questions about their own history and related topics.
According to the château’s management, the partnership brings cutting-edge technology to a site that receives over 8 million visitors annually—without requiring a financial investment from the institution—while also giving both companies a high-profile opportunity to showcase their expertise.
“Versailles is testing artificial intelligence today, whose remarkable capabilities will significantly enrich the visitor experience,” said Christophe Leribault, president of the Public Establishment of the Museum and National Estate of Versailles, in a statement.
“Whether you're a heritage expert, a museum curator, or a first-time visitor to Versailles’ gardens, there’s something in it for everyone,” noted Julie Lavet, Head of Partnerships for OpenAI in Europe.
“When we think of artificial intelligence, we often associate it with productivity. But here, AI becomes a catalyst for curiosity,” added Marion Carré, president of Ask Mona.
The Versailles estate operates on a budget of approximately €120 million, nearly three-quarters of which comes from self-generated revenue. Ongoing maintenance is a constant need at the sprawling château.
“We’ve started the most expensive phase of structural renovations,” Leribault told Le Point magazine on Sunday. “We need to double our efforts in finding patrons, which is not easy in this climate of economic uncertainty.”
With AFP
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