Artificial Intelligence brings museum specimens to life in Cambridge

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - The University of Cambridge's Museum of Zoology is launching an innovative AI-powered experience that allows visitors to interact with animal specimens starting from Tuesday.

The AI system enables two-way conversations via voice or text, with specimens responding as if they were alive, according to the information on the university's website.

Guests can engage in conversations with 13 different exhibits, including extinct species like the dodo, an extinct flightless bird, from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15, 2024.

Jack Ashby, the museum's assistant director, described it as "an amazing opportunity for people to test out an emerging technology" in a museum setting.

The system incorporates comprehensive information about each specimen, including its origin and preparation for display.

“By using AI to simulate non-human perspectives, our technology offers a novel way for audiences to connect with the natural world,” said Gal Zanir, co-founder of the company Nature Perspectives, which developed the AI technology for the experience.

The technology is able to adapt to different age groups and communicate in over 20 languages. This feature aims to make the experience accessible to a wide range of visitors.

The month-long experiment represents a novel approach to museum education, blending historical artifacts with cutting-edge AI technology to enhance visitor engagement and learning.