Ask Mona and OpenAI Give Versailles Statues Conversational AI Voices
At the Museum Digital Summit 2026, Ask Mona co-founder and CEO Marion Carré presented a conversational AI project at the Palace of Versailles that lets visitors speak with 20 sculptures in the gardens. Developed in partnership with the Palace of Versailles and OpenAI, the experience uses QR codes to connect visitors to real-time vocal conversations with each artwork. Over 100,000 messages were logged in the first six months. Each sculpture has a unique personality based on curatorial content, with 85% of questions directly relevant to the artworks. The project was built quickly, launching in summer after conception at the start of the year. Ask Mona has worked with over 200 institutions for nearly a decade. The experience launched in three languages, with plans to expand. Carré emphasized that the AI is not meant to replace human guides but to offer personalized interpretation at scale.
Key facts
- Ask Mona, Palace of Versailles, and OpenAI partnered to create conversational AI for 20 sculptures in the gardens.
- Visitors scan a QR code to start a real-time voice conversation with a statue.
- Over 100,000 visitor messages were generated in the first six months.
- 85% of questions were directly relevant to the sculptures.
- Each sculpture has a unique voice and personality based on curatorial content.
- The project was conceived at the beginning of the year and launched in summer.
- Ask Mona has worked with more than 200 institutions for nearly a decade.
- The experience launched in three languages; expanding language offerings is a priority.
Entities
Artists
- Marion Carré
Institutions
- Ask Mona
- Palace of Versailles
- OpenAI
- Museum Digital Summit 2026
- MuseumNext
Locations
- Versailles
- France