In a unique experiment blending history and technology, 20 statues and fountains in the gardens of the famous Palace of Versailles in France can now talk to visitors. Thanks to artificial intelligence, anyone can now have a direct conversation with centuries-old sculptures, uncovering the secrets of the past in a way never before possible.
Article contents:
- New interactive tour: How does the technology work?
- Real conversations with history
- Palace of Versailles: A legacy of luxury and art
- Not just a tool: Art meets technology responsibly
- Spirit of innovation: Versailles and technology across the ages
- What does this mean for the future of museums and heritage?
- Conclusion: When stone speaks
- Frequently asked questions
New interactive tour: How does the technology work?
Twenty statues and fountains in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles have come to life thanks to artificial intelligence. Using the historical site’s smartphone app, visitors to the 17th-century royal residence can now have real-time conversations with iconic Versailles structures such as the Latona Fountain and the Apollo Fountain. This new interactive garden tour is powered by AI companies OpenAI (creator of ChatGPT) and Ask Mona. Visitors can now scan QR codes posted at various statues to start conversations with them, which will “reveal tales, historical facts, and unknown secrets” about Versailles.
Real conversations with history
The New York Times recently tested the new program. A journalist spoke with a statue of Cupid riding a sphinx, inviting nearby visitors to do the same. A French teenager asked, “Will I ever be rich?” The program replied, “Ah, becoming rich is a mystery even the sphinx cannot solve! But remember: the source of true wealth is perhaps love, which governs all of life’s mysteries.” Another boy asked which team would win the UEFA Champions League, and the statue answered, “I have no opinion on football players or other topics outside these gardens… I invite you to enjoy the timeless beauty that surrounds us.”
These clever and evasive responses show that the AI was trained to stay within its historical and artistic “persona,” avoiding unrelated topics outside its context.
Palace of Versailles: A legacy of luxury and art
The statue of Cupid is one of countless pieces of art adorning the gardens of Versailles, the vast and lavish estate built by French King Louis XIV between 1661 and 1710. Under his supervision, this former royal hunting lodge was transformed into the official residence of French monarchs with more than 2,000 rooms. Today, the Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited heritage sites in France. Its gardens were designed by André Le Nôtre, a landscape architect who also designed some of the fountains given voices in the new tour. Many are inspired by classical stories and characters, such as Neptune and Apollo.
Not just a tool: Art meets technology responsibly
Christophe Leribault, president of the Palace of Versailles, emphasizes that the AI program “is not a trivial tool, but an enlightened tool designed in collaboration with our specialized teams, and it is technically sound and does not say nonsensical things.” This ensures the experience remains educational and respectful of history rather than becoming superficial entertainment.
Spirit of innovation: Versailles and technology across the ages
Historically, science and technology have always had a place at Versailles. Innovations in medicine, botany, and astronomy were developed at the royal court of Louis XIV, who founded the French Academy of Sciences. Paul Chaine, digital director at Versailles, says the new AI program carries the palace’s spirit of innovation into the 21st century. Leribault adds: “From its construction to the first hot-air balloon flights, Versailles has always been at the forefront of major progress in all fields. Now the palace is testing artificial intelligence, whose extraordinary capabilities will greatly enrich our visitors’ experience.”
What does this mean for the future of museums and heritage?
This experiment opens the door to endless possibilities for museums and heritage sites around the world. Imagine walking through a museum and talking to Egyptian mummies, asking the Mona Lisa the secret of her smile, or discussing philosophy with a statue of Plato. Artificial intelligence can transform a passive visit into a deeply personal, interactive educational experience, attracting a tech-savvy new generation and making history more vivid and interesting than ever before.
Conclusion: When stone speaks
The statues at Versailles are no longer just silent stones, but storytellers and secret keepers interacting with the present. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, the Palace of Versailles proves that the best way to preserve history is to make it speak the language of the future, ensuring its tales remain heard for generations to come.
Frequently asked questions
How can I talk to the statues?
Visitors can use the official Palace of Versailles smartphone app and scan the QR codes located next to the statues participating in the tour to start a text conversation.
Can AI answer any question?
The artificial intelligence is programmed to answer questions related to the history of Versailles, art, and the myths associated with the statue. It cleverly avoids answering questions outside this scope, such as sports match results or financial advice.
Is this technology available in other locations?
The Versailles experiment is one of the first large-scale applications of its kind, but more museums and heritage sites are expected to adopt similar technologies in the near future to enhance visitor experience.
