Students at Spelman College are developing an artificial intelligence-powered assistant designed to help plant owners monitor and improve plant health.
The project, known as PlantGPT, was created through the Arthur M. Blank Spelman Innovation Lab, a campus makerspace focused on creative inquiry, experimental research, and interdisciplinary learning.
The initiative began in August 2023 and is being led by Assistant Director and Lab Manager Eric Thompson and biology graduate Grace Burch.
Other contributors include students Devyn Washington, Joy Rutledge, Temple Dees, and Jessica Obi, who have collaborated on both the technical and research aspects of the project.
How PlantGPT Works
PlantGPT functions as a conversational AI assistant that analyzes environmental conditions affecting plant health.
The system uses four sensors to collect key environmental data, including:
- Light intensity
- Humidity
- Temperature
- Soil moisture
The collected data is transmitted to a computer running a local large language model (LLM), which interprets the information and provides plant-care recommendations.
According to project contributors, the system currently works by allowing users to initiate a conversation with the plant interface, after which the sensors gather updated environmental readings and deliver personalized feedback.
“We talk to the plant first, and then it periodically collects data,” said computer science student Joy Rutledge in comments to AFROTECH™. “With the most updated information, it gives you specialized feedback on what it’s experiencing at that moment.”
The technology is currently being tested on a beginner-friendly succulent plant.
Student Collaboration
Each student involved in the project contributes a different area of expertise.
Rutledge, who is also minoring in food studies, helps determine which sensors are necessary and what environmental conditions should be tracked to maintain plant health.
Her personal interest in plants and botany also informed her participation in the project.
Temple Dees and Jessica Obi focus on software engineering and web development. Their work includes building a future web application that would allow users to access PlantGPT as a full digital product.
“Right now, we’re running our local LLM on a computer and collecting data using sensors,” Dees explained. “The system then tells you exactly how to take care of the plants, and the web app is coming in the future.”
Potential Agricultural Applications
While the current version of PlantGPT is aimed at household plant owners, the team envisions broader applications in agriculture.
Future versions could help farmers monitor environmental conditions affecting crops and address challenges linked to food production.
Possible use cases include monitoring soil carbon storage, assessing water availability for crops, and tracking environmental factors such as air quality and temperature.
Rutledge said expanding the technology to the agriculture sector could contribute to addressing food insecurity through improved resource management.
Support and Recognition
The project has already received recognition through entrepreneurship competitions.
PlantGPT won a $1,000 prize during the Center for Black Entrepreneurship’s first annual New Venture Competition in 2025.
The students developing the project are also supported through the Innovation Lab’s fellowship program, where fellows are paid $20 per hour to work on research and development projects.
Key academic mentors supporting the initiative include Innovation Lab Director Eric Thompson and Spelman College professor Jaycee Holmes.
Innovation From the Makerspace
The Arthur M. Blank Spelman Innovation Lab provides students access to advanced tools, including 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, and 3D scanners.
The space is designed to encourage experimentation across disciplines such as art, science, engineering, and technology.
Through projects like PlantGPT, the lab continues to foster student-led innovation aimed at solving real-world challenges.
