Text Tarot - AI SMS Tarot Reader

Text Tarot began as an exploration of making mystical experiences accessible through everyday technology. The concept was simple but engaging: anyone could text a phone number and receive a personalized tarot reading, complete with card imagery and AI-generated interpretation, all through SMS. The technical challenge was building a system that felt magical while being technically sound. Users would send an SMS to request a reading, and our custom tarot AI would randomly select cards and generate unique, contextual readings tailored to the user's query. The randomization was intentionally pure—we embraced the traditional tarot philosophy that the cards you receive are the ones you're meant to get. The AI then crafted personalized interpretations of each card, considering the position, the question context, and the traditional meanings to deliver readings that felt authentic and meaningful. The SMS delivery mechanism made the experience delightfully accessible—no app downloads, no sign-ups, just text and receive. Each reading included the card image delivered via MMS along with the AI-generated interpretation, making the experience rich and visual even on a basic text messaging platform. The prototype successfully demonstrated how AI and traditional SMS infrastructure could combine to create engaging, accessible experiences. It was an exercise in making something traditionally esoteric feel immediate and personal through thoughtful product design and modern technology.