Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Wednesday introduced a new “spokesperson” named “Victoria Shi” who has the distinction of being the world’s first digital diplomat. Shi is a simulation created by artificial intelligence (AI) software.
“My name symbolizes our main goal – the victory of Ukraine, and the name of the artificial intelligence that created me,” says the digital “spokesperson” Said At the first video address.
“Shi” is Abbreviation for Stuni Intect, Ukrainian word meaning artificial intelligence.
“My job is to make operational and verified information of the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine available to the public,” Shi said. “I will inform journalists about the work of consular officers and other news to protect the rights and interests of Ukrainian citizens abroad and respond to incidents and emergencies.”
Mr. Shi’s avatar, a woman in a dark suit, was modeled after a Ukrainian singer named Rosalie Nombre, who provided her likeness without asking for compensation.Noble Hailstone He is from Donetsk, a city in eastern Ukraine that is currently under Russian control.
The MFA press release stressed that Mr Nombre has no further connection to the project and should be considered a separate entity from Mr See, who will read press releases prepared by ministry officials.
“The use of AI-generated digital personnel to comment on consular matters is primarily aimed at saving time and resources for the Foreign Office. Real diplomats can operate more competently. This will allow us to focus on other tasks supporting our people,” explained Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Kleba said the rollout is also part of the ministry’s efforts to embrace “advanced technologies” such as artificial intelligence.
“Not only in Ukraine but all over the world, foreign affairs has always been a conservative field, the last to introduce innovation. We are trying to change that,” he said.
“Ukrainian diplomacy is currently strengthening its capabilities and making technological leaps forward, which no diplomatic institution in the world has yet achieved,” he said.
MFA has security measures in place to prevent Shi from being hacked, and a QR code is placed on each of her videos that links to the corresponding ministry press release, allowing viewers to view all of Shi’s videos. He said it was easy to tell if it was genuine.
The department also said it would hire a human spokesperson to work with Shi. The most recent spokesperson, Oleg Nikolenko, resigned in March to become Ukraine’s consul general in Canada. The MFA is holding a competition to choose his successor.
Victoria Shi was created by two non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Nazovni Tech and a team of programmers called Game Changers.
Game Changers previously helped MFA create a virtual reality project called “Living the War” that aims to help people around the world understand the harsh realities of life under Russian aggression. MFA expressed hope that the VR project will attract additional financial and military support to Ukraine, as well as expand humanitarian assistance to people in conflict areas. The traveling exhibition of VR simulation is hosted The decision was taken by the German Bundestag in September.
Ukraine is touting Shi as its first digital “spokesperson” to represent the country’s foreign ministry, but the idea of using AI-generated avatars to broadcast news or promote products is not new.Japan was an early leader using Computer-animated characters can serve in all kinds of public speaking roles, including news and news. advertisement Go to lecture.There is also a prototype in Japan. convenience store Performed by computer-generated characters.
Japan’s Minister of State for Digital Reform, Taro Kono, said: transformed Robokono, playfully named after Avatar, is widely believed to be the first AI creation to hold a government post as press secretary to the digital minister. Mr. Kono joked that he wanted Robokono to stand in for him during budget meetings.
Victoria Sea’s first task as communications director is handling press releases related to controversial consular affairs. Paused Last week, to Ukrainian men of military age living abroad.
Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 are not allowed to leave the country without special permission, a rule imposed when President Volodomyr Zelenskiy declared martial law in response to the Russian invasion. This is a limitation. President Zelenskiy signed the law passed by the Ukrainian parliament. stretch Martial law has been imposed several times since then.
The MFA clarified on Tuesday that the ban on consular services is only “temporary” as “arrangements regarding the renewal and verification of military records for men of draft age are currently being determined.” The new law covering military mobilization is scheduled to come into effect on May 18th.
“The current situation is this: Men of draft age go out of the country, show that they don’t care about the survival of this country, and then come and say they want to receive services from this country. We are at war,” Foreign Minister Kuleba said in defense of the ban.
