AI allows museum visitors to talk to animals, including the extinct dodo
Cambridge University’s Museum of Zoology is using AI to let visitors have two-way conversations with animal exhibits, including extinct species like the dodo.
Visitors to Cambridge University’s Museum of Zoology will soon be able to have conversations with animals on display using AI. The museum is offering two-way chats with 13 selected specimens, including a dodo, a red panda, and a narwhal skeleton, as part of a month-long experiment starting Tuesday.
The aim of this project is to encourage public engagement with the natural world and provide insights into visitors’ curiosity about the exhibits. Visitors can start a conversation by scanning a QR code near each display, with the animals responding based on their species’ traits and scientific data.
Nature Perspectives, the company behind the technology, has designed the AI responses to reflect the unique perspective of each specimen. The goal is to foster a deeper connection between visitors and nature, with the potential to shift public attitudes toward biodiversity loss.
To ensure the accuracy of the responses, the AI has been fine-tuned using a curated set of data provided by experts. This helps maintain the scientific integrity of the conversations while enhancing the overall visitor experience.
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