diff --git a/polyglot-chat-app/README.md b/polyglot-chat-app/README.md
index 46b539cf..728219bb 100644
--- a/polyglot-chat-app/README.md
+++ b/polyglot-chat-app/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # Polyglot Chat Application
 
 This example demonstrates how to integrate Python on GraalVM with a Micronaut application.
+The application uses the nltk module to analyze text sentiment.
 The application uses the Gradle build tool.
 
 ## Preparation
@@ -15,27 +16,30 @@ The application uses the Gradle build tool.
 
 2. Download and install the latest GraalPy as described in the [Getting Started guide](https://www.graalvm.org/latest/reference-manual/python/#installing-graalpy). For example on Linux:
    ```bash
-   wget https://github.com/oracle/graalpython/releases/download/graal-23.1.1/graalpy-23.1.1-linux-amd64.tar.gz
-   tar xzf graalpy-23.1.1-linux-amd64.tar.gz
+   pyenv install graalpy-23.1.2
+   pyenv shell graalpy-23.1.2
    ``
 
-3. Create a virtual environment for this demo in the _resources_ directory, and install the required packages:
+3. Create a virtual environment for the demo in the _resources_ directory, activate it, install the required package, and download a lexicon:
    ```bash
-   graalpy-23.1.1-linux-amd64/bin/graalpy -m venv src/main/resources/venv
+   graalpy -m venv src/main/resources/venv
    ```
    ```bash
-   src/main/resources/venv/bin/graalpy -m pip install nltk
+   source src/main/resources/venv/bin/activate
    ```
    ```bash
-   src/main/resources/venv/bin/graalpy -c "import nltk; nltk.download('vader_lexicon')"
+   graalpy -m pip install nltk
+   ```
+   ```bash
+   graalpy -c "import nltk; nltk.download('vader_lexicon')"
    ```
 
-4. (Optional) Download and install GraalVM JDK for Java 21 or later to run Python with runtime compilation and to build a native image. 
-The demo will work on any OpenJDK distribution, but will be much faster on GraalVM JDK.
+4. (Optional) [Download and install GraalVM JDK for Java 21](https://www.graalvm.org/downloads/) or later to run Python with runtime compilation and to build a native image. 
+The demo will work with any OpenJDK distribution, but will be much faster on GraalVM JDK.
 
-## Building and Running the Application:
+## Building and Running the Application
 
-1. Build application with Gradle:
+1. Build and run the application using Gradle:
    ```bash
    ./gradlew run
    ```
@@ -43,8 +47,8 @@ The demo will work on any OpenJDK distribution, but will be much faster on Graal
 2. Navigate to [http://localhost:12345/#/chat/bob](http://localhost:12345/#/chat/bob).
 
     You can connect from multiple browsers and chat via websockets.
-    The Python code will load a language model in the background.
-    Once it is ready, it will analyse the sentiments of all messages and add an emoji to the message to indicate the feelings conveyed.
+    The Python code loads a language model in the background—this can take up to 5 minutes.
+    Once it is ready, it analyzes the sentiments of messages and add an emoji to each message to indicate the feelings conveyed.
     A chat may look like this (newest message at the top):
 
     ```
@@ -53,17 +57,19 @@ The demo will work on any OpenJDK distribution, but will be much faster on Graal
     [bob 💬] still loading the sentiment model I believe
     ```
 
-## Building a Native Image
+## (Optional) Building a Native Executable
+
+> Note: this requires [Download and install GraalVM JDK for Java 21](https://www.graalvm.org/downloads/) or later.
 
-The application can be AOT compiled using GraalVM Native Image.
-The Python code has to be shipped in a _resources_ directory that is kept next to the native executable.
+The application can be compiled ahead-of-time to a native executable using GraalVM Native Image.
+The Python code must be copied to the _build/_ directory that is kept next to the native executable.
 
-1. Build a native executable with the Micronaut AOT support:
+1. Build a native executable using Micronaut AOT support:
    ```bash
    ./gradlew nativeCompile
    ```
 
-2. Copy the venv into the output _resources_ directory:
+2. Copy the _venv_ directory into the output _resources_ directory:
    ```bash
    cp -R src/main/resources/venv/ build/native/nativeCompile/resources/python/
    ```
diff --git a/polyglot-chat-app/build.gradle b/polyglot-chat-app/build.gradle
index de5d031a..7e7b05a9 100644
--- a/polyglot-chat-app/build.gradle
+++ b/polyglot-chat-app/build.gradle
@@ -31,9 +31,9 @@ dependencies {
 
     implementation("jakarta.inject:jakarta.inject-api:2.0.1")
 
-    implementation("org.graalvm.sdk:graal-sdk:23.1.1")
-    implementation("org.graalvm.polyglot:python:23.1.1")
-    implementation("org.graalvm.sdk:nativeimage:23.1.1")
+    implementation("org.graalvm.sdk:graal-sdk:23.1.2")
+    implementation("org.graalvm.polyglot:python:23.1.2")
+    implementation("org.graalvm.sdk:nativeimage:23.1.2")
 }