What is Talking Plants?
Talking Plants is an experimental exhibition in the Glasshouse Range using AI to investigate how people engage with plants. The exhibition uses information curated by Botanic Garden staff to explore an additional way for visitors to ask questions at their own pace. Using QR codes, you can pose questions to 20 fascinating plants and hear responses told from the plant’s perspective.
Who created the exhibition?
Talking Plants is a collaboration between the Botanic Garden and Nature Perspectives. We have a shared commitment with Nature Perspectives to connect people with the natural world, and this exhibition explores how AI might offer new ways to do so.
When and where does the exhibition run?
11 February – 12 April 2026 in the Glasshouse Range. The Glasshouse Range is open as normal to visitors not taking part in the exhibition.
Is it included in admission?
Yes. Talking Plants is included with normal Garden admission and you do not need to book in advance.
Who is it for?
The exhibition is for everyone! You can input your age when accessing the chatbot and the information you are given will be modified accordingly.
How do I take part?
Scan the QR code on the pink plant labels using your smartphone. You can then speak your question or type it in, and the plant will respond accordingly. You don’t need to download an app – the conversation works through your phone’s web browser. An internet connection is required. Each conversation can be as short or long as you want.
Is there a map available?
A map of the exhibition points is available here and on flyers available from the Ticket Offices.
What should I ask?
We encourage you to be creative in your interactions and ask whatever you can think of! The chatbot can answer species-specific questions as well as questions about plant biology. Some examples to start with are:
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Where are you from?
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What is it like living there?
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What animals do you interact with?
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What threats do you face?
Are the responses scientifically accurate?
The exhibition uses information carefully curated by our staff as well as drawing on additional sources to answer your questions in the most accurate way. The accuracy of responses will be constantly monitored throughout the duration of the experiment, and data shows that Nature Perspectives previous work has been 99.89% accurate.
Why not use people?
Talking Plants is an experimental exhibition using AI as a tool to investigate how people engage with plants. It is not intended to replace the expertise or personal engagement of our horticultural staff, students and volunteers, which remain central to how we interpret plants for visitors. The exhibition uses information carefully curated by our staff to explore an additional way for visitors to ask questions at their own pace. The feedback we receive will inform how we encourage meaningful engagement with plants in the future.
Why use AI?
At Cambridge University Botanic Garden, we aim to share the fascinating world of plants in interesting and exciting ways. To do so, we use a mixture of methods to communicate botanical and horticultural insights to visitors including signage, guided tours and volunteer student explainers. Incorporating AI through this exhibition is a great opportunity to experiment with a different way visitors can interact with our collection alongside these offerings. It will also enable us to learn from visitors directly – creating an opportunity for you to tell us what you want to learn and how you like to connect with our plants.
What about the environmental impact?
The environmental impact of Nature Perspective’s work is continuously monitored and will be checked throughout the exhibition. Their data shows that an average conversation uses the equivalent amount of carbon as driving 60 metres or sending 1 email newsletter, and less than 1 cup of water. Nature Perspectives offsets any carbon used.
Is my data stored?
Any information is stored in compliance with GDPR, as outlined in Nature Perspective’s terms of use.
Where can I give feedback?
Please provide feedback via our survey form.