In a world first for botanic gardens, Cambridge University Botanic Garden has unveiled an AI-powered exhibition that enables visitors to engage in two-way conversations with plants, launching on 11 February 2026.
The ‘Talking Plants’ exhibition allows guests to interact with 20 rare specimens by scanning QR codes with their smartphones, initiating voice or text-based dialogues that combine horticultural knowledge with personalized plant stories. Each plant has been given a unique name and personality, such as Jade the Vine, characterized as sassy, or Titus Junior the Titan Arum, known for its dramatic and foul-smelling nature, making the experience both educational and entertaining.
Developed in collaboration with the conservation organization Nature Perspectives, the AI technology is fine-tuned on scientific data to provide accurate responses while incorporating features like jokes, trivia games, and meditation sessions. This innovative approach aims to shift how people relate to plants, from passive observation to active conversation.
Professor Sam Brockington, the exhibition’s curator and a professor of evolution at Cambridge University, stated that the project is not about replacing human expertise but about finding new ways to stimulate learning and wonder about the plant kingdom. He hopes it will offer insights into engaging the public with messages about biodiversity loss and environmental change.
The exhibition builds on prior AI initiatives at the University of Cambridge’s Museum of Zoology, where similar technology was used for conversations with animal specimens in 2024. This expansion into botany represents a significant advancement in using digital tools for public education and nature engagement.
Running from 11 February to 12 April 2026, the exhibition is included with standard garden admission and requires no booking, ensuring broad accessibility. The AI servers are powered by renewable energy, with each conversation consuming minimal resources, comparable to sending an email with an attachment, highlighting the project’s environmental consideration.
By giving plants a voice, ‘Talking Plants’ encourages visitors to develop a deeper connection with the natural world, fostering empathy and awareness about conservation issues. It sets a precedent for future interactive exhibitions in botanic gardens globally, demonstrating the potential of AI to enhance public understanding and appreciation of biodiversity.
