Dpt., an international experiential design and production studio, has launched a collection of engagement tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) designed specifically for the arts and cultural sectors.
AI's role in the industry is evolving. From its beginnings as a tool to improve operational processes, it is now being embraced by organisations as a medium to reimagine the on-site visitor experience.
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Based on this premise, Dpt. is redefining cultural encounters by enabling fictional characters and historical figures to interact directly with guests.
See also: Top 8 technology trends in the attractions industry for 2026
Its suite of three solutions seeks to increase visitor satisfaction, deliver educational goals, extend dwell time, and boost revenue per visitor.
Nicolas S. Roy, president of Dpt., says: "We strongly believe in the potential of these technologies for mediation in museums and cultural institutions.
"Museums are looking for natural ways to engage and interact with audiences, and this type of solution responds exactly to those needs."
AI-powered solutions
Dpt.'s solutions comprise:
The Echo Persona conversational avatar
This technology platform allows attractions and organisations to bring fictional or historical IPs to life.
Almost one in two fans say they have a strong emotional connection with their favourite characters and content. According to analysts, fans increasingly see consuming content, buying products, and being a fan as one indivisible ecosystem.
Furthermore, Deloitte’s 2025 Connected Consumer Survey found that almost 70% of Millennials and Gen Z consumers would share their personal data in exchange for a more customised experience with their favourite franchises.
Joe Beef at Pointe-à -Callière Museum
"Having worked in the brand and agency space for a long time, clients often asked us: how can we bring a brand to life?" says Roy. "With Persona, we’ve been able to create magical, premium entertainment experiences that visitors keep coming back for."
Echo Persona addresses this need. Built on a proven AI model, this solution delivers real-time responses in multiple languages, all in less than a second.
The character listens and responds, bringing the conversation to life and immersing guests in the interaction.
The Echo Snap AI photobooth
Echo Snap instantly immerses guests in a real or fictional world, extending the visit far beyond typical photo opportunities.
Visitors can choose from a vast range of worlds and styles, capturing a moment that both enhances their experience and helps attract new audiences. Echo Snap performs particularly well in contexts where guests can engage with their favourite IP universe.
Echo Snap also drives a significant uplift in average spend per guest, with conversion rates reported to exceed 50%.
Echo Snap at OASIS Immersion
This product has been used by OASIS Immersion in the Mirror of Metamorphoses at L'Atelier des Harmonies. Here, the system analyses guests' faces, postures, and clothing, before transporting them into the colourful world of the Animal Carnival.
Per a LinkedIn post, the company describes the photobooth as "A beautiful demonstration of collaboration where technology and creativity come together to extend the immersive experience to the very end of the tour."
The Echo Guide virtual assistant
Echo Guide, built on the same AI, is a hyper-personalised visitor system for cultural venues, heritage sites, and attractions that brings both tangible and intangible heritage to life.
By merging image recognition and GPS technology, this solution creates highly personalised journeys in which visitors can explore bespoke routes led by an AI companion, enriched with augmented reality (AR).
AI activates this data for new uses. Responsible, accessible, and secure by design, Echo Guide enables heritage and stories to be not simply preserved, but shared.
Echo Guide
Roy says: "With the Echo suite, our goal was to create truly unique and fully customizable experiences for visitors and fans.
"Since launching these tools, we’ve seen a wide range of potential use cases emerge, along with strong interest from the industry."
"We have observed strong interest in this type of project both in North America and in Europe, particularly as a way to highlight the rich history and heritage, both tangible and intangible, that these regions hold," says Catherine Fournier, director, strategy, marketing and partnerships at Dpt.
"This is also why, among other reasons, we now have a presence in France."
Last month, Dpt. shared details of its project to create an AI-powered interactive character based on Joe Beef, a prominent 19th-century tavern keeper, for Pointe-à -Callière Museum in Montreal.
