Versailles Launches AI-Enhanced Statues, but Chatbots Prefer Ancient Lore Over Modern Chatter

The Palace of Versailles has introduced a new interactive feature in collaboration with OpenAI and a Paris-based AI company, Ask Mona. This initiative allows visitors to engage in conversations with 12 statues in the palace’s gardens, both online and in person, by scanning QR codes. The chatbots aim to enhance visitor experience by providing detailed information about the sculptures and their historical significance. However, initial tests of the chatbots reveal that the interactions are somewhat limited in terms of personality and functionality. When I conversed with the Apollo Fountain and Neptune’s Fountain, the chatbots were informative but rigid, primarily focusing on self-referential topics and lacking the ability to engage in lighter, more diverse conversations or display humor. For instance, when asked to tell a joke, the Apollo Fountain chatbot politely declined, emphasizing its symbolic role. Similarly, the Neptune’s Fountain chatbot was unresponsive to some questions and occasionally experienced technical glitches, such as failing to capture my voice input. Despite these shortcomings, the chatbots offer valuable insights into the statues’ histories and artistic merits. For example, the Apollo Fountain chatbot provided a detailed explanation of the fountain’s symbolism and its connection to Louis XIV, the Sun King. The Neptune’s Fountain chatbot offered thorough answers about the fountain’s creation and materials. These features make the tools particularly useful for visitors who prefer immediate, personalized information over traditional guided tours or pre-recorded audio guides. The new AI feature is a step forward from conventional tour guides, offering an engaging and interactive way to learn about the artworks. However, the conversations felt more one-sided, with the chatbots rarely asking follow-up questions or encouraging deeper engagement. This is in contrast to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which often prompts users to explore related topics or clarify their queries. Industry experts see potential in this technology for enhancing museum experiences. While the current implementation at Versailles could benefit from improvements in responsiveness and conversational flow, the chatbots represent a promising approach to making historical sites more accessible and engaging, especially for younger visitors or those with shorter attention spans. Museums around the world might find value in adopting similar AI-driven interactive features to attract and inform a broader audience. Versailles has a rich history dating back to the 17th century and serves as a key cultural landmark. The palace’s efforts to integrate modern technology demonstrate a commitment to innovation and enhancing visitor engagement. OpenAI, known for developing advanced AI models like ChatGPT, and Ask Mona, a local AI company, are significant partners in this endeavor. Their collaboration reflects a growing trend in the cultural and heritage sector to leverage AI for educational and experiential purposes. While the technology shows promise, there are areas for improvement, such as refining the natural language processing (NLP) to allow for more dynamic and personalized conversations. Additionally, ensuring the chatbots can handle a wider range of topics beyond their direct subject matter would make them more versatile and engaging for visitors. Overall, the partnership between Versailles and these AI companies is a noteworthy step towards blending historical preservation with technological advancement.