The Palace of Versailles announced that visitors can now converse with talking statues as part of a new collaboration with artificial intelligence companies, eliminating the need for traditional audio guides.

The palace revealed on Monday evening a partnership with U.S.-based OpenAI and French startup Ask Mona to infuse the iconic 17th-century palace with modern AI elements.

Curious visitors can scan QR codes next to approximately 20 garden statues to delve into the rich history of Versailles—and engage in interactive dialogues in French, English, or Spanish.

Christophe Leribault, Director of the Palace of Versailles, stated, "Versailles is currently testing artificial intelligence, whose powerful capabilities will greatly enrich the visitor experience."

The site welcomes around 8 million tourists annually, and OpenAI and Ask Mona noted that this is an excellent opportunity to showcase their technology in a world-renowned location.

Julie Lavet, Head of European Partnerships at OpenAI, said, "Whether you're a cultural heritage expert, a museum curator, or a visitor stepping into the Versailles gardens for the first time, there's something for everyone to enjoy."

The president of Ask Mona stated that the collaboration is an opportunity to highlight a less-explored application of AI.

"Usually, when we think of AI, we consider it from a productivity perspective, but here, AI is actually a lever for curiosity," said Marianne Carré.