The Madrid Zoo in Spain has recently equipped its two giant pandas, “Jin Xi” and “Zhu Yu,” with a special assistant – a virtual AI keeper named “Irenia.”
Irenia was created by a team of experts in cybersecurity and big data. “She” appears as a virtual human on a large screen next to the giant panda enclosure, providing visitors with real-time information and engaging in interactive experiences.
As an expert in panda care, Irenia can answer visitors’ questions in both English and Spanish, showcasing videos and images. Thanks to AI technology, Irenia has the ability to continuously learn, which means her knowledge base will keep expanding to include information about other animals in the zoo. In the future, she is expected to respond to inquiries in more languages.
Sergio Palomo, the marketing director of the Madrid Zoo, stated in a press release that with Irenia, the experience for zoo visitors has not only “taken a big step forward” but has also laid the foundation for how AI can positively and dynamically transform education and entertainment.
Giant pandas “Jin Xi” and “Zhu Yu” have become the new stars of the Madrid Zoo. In February of this year, the pandas “Bing Xing” and “Hua Zui Ba,” who had been living in Madrid since 2007, returned to China with their three cubs. Subsequently, according to the international cooperation research agreement on panda conservation signed between China and Spain, “Jin Xi” and “Zhu Yu” arrived in Madrid at the end of April and will spend a decade living there.
