Building Ask Mona Before the AI Boom

Marion co-founded Ask Mona in 2017 with the goal of making culture more interactive and accessible by enabling conversations with artworks. Back then, they used custom-built NLP tools, and the idea of combining AI and culture was seen as niche. Today, Ask Mona works with major cultural institutions worldwide, leveraging generative AI to help organizations personalize content and better engage with audiences.

Curiosity as a Business Compass

What began as a tool for museums has grown into a broader vision. Marion explains that curiosity has always been the core of their approach, whether it’s asking questions about a painting, a travel destination, or even a bottle of wine. Realizing this opened up new markets in education, tourism, and consumer goods. Ask Mona’s mission now spans any object or experience that sparks a desire to learn.

Accessibility in Many Forms

For Marion, accessibility isn’t just about physical access. It’s symbolic too. Many people feel intimidated or excluded in cultural spaces. Ask Mona’s tools aim to remove those barriers by letting users ask questions in their own words, via text or voice, and get tailored answers. This promotes a more inclusive experience, particularly for those who might not feel confident navigating traditional museum formats.

Wearing Multiple Hats to Humanize Tech

Marion’s work extends beyond entrepreneurship. As a lecturer, artist, and author, she approaches AI not just as a technical tool, but as a societal force. Her diverse roles allow her to both build and critique technology, emphasizing the importance of keeping human perspectives central in AI development. Her latest book explores how AI affects our attention and decision-making, urging reflection on how we use the tools we build.

Championing Representation and Role Models

Marion’s biography of Alice Recoque, a forgotten French AI pioneer, is part of her mission to spotlight accessible role models in tech. She believes in showcasing diverse paths into the AI field, especially for women and people from non-technical backgrounds. Her own journey, rooted in the humanities, is a testament to the value of interdisciplinary contributions to the tech world.

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