Ukraine Unveils Victoria Shi, the World's First AI-Generated Spokeswoman

Thursday 02 May 2024 - 17:44

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced "Victoria Shi," an AI-generated spokeswoman designated to communicate consular information to the media. This unprecedented initiative marks the first time a digital persona, powered by artificial intelligence technologies, has been appointed as an official government spokesperson.

"For the first time in history, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has created a digital personality using artificial intelligence to officially comment on consular information for the media," the ministry stated. The AI avatar, named Victoria Shi, combining the themes of "victory" and "AI" in Ukrainian, made her debut in a YouTube video.

"I am a digital person," Victoria Shi stated in her first address. "This means that the text you hear has not been read by a real person. It has been created by artificial intelligence." Victoria Shi, portrayed as a young mixed-race woman, wore a black jacket with a Ukrainian flag pin, emphasizing her role as an official representative of the consular services. "I will be able to inform the public by providing verified and timely information from the Ukrainian consular services," she added.

The visual representation of Victoria Shi was modeled after Ukrainian singer and influencer Rosalie Nombre, a former contestant on the Ukrainian version of "The Bachelor," who is from the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk. Nombre "voluntarily agreed to participate in the project" and "serve as a prototype," according to the ministry.

Although the AI generates Victoria Shi's visual representation, the ministry's press service assured that all statements and communiqués would be "written and verified by real people." The AI spokeswoman's future declarations will be published online and made available to journalists. However, she will not replace the ministry's official human spokesperson; her role is limited to consular matters.

The use of AI in journalism and government communications raises ethical concerns. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has implemented measures to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of statements made by Victoria Shi. Each of her videos includes a QR code to verify its authenticity and prevent the spread of misinformation.

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, defended the decision, stating that an AI spokeswoman would "save time and resources for the ministry," allowing "real diplomats to be more efficient and focus on other tasks." He emphasized that creating an AI avatar is "not a whim, but a necessity in times of war," as the country must "accelerate all processes and stay ahead."

The project was developed in collaboration with the NGO "The Game Changers," which previously created a virtual reality experience called "Living the War" for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. This experience allows users to immerse themselves in the reality of Russia's aggression against Ukraine through connected glasses.

As the world contends with the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, Ukraine's bold move to appoint the world's first AI-generated spokeswoman illustrates the country's commitment to embracing innovative technologies while navigating the complexities of modern warfare.