Ukraine captured international attention this week with the introduction of a groundbreaking addition to its foreign ministry team – an AI-generated spokesperson named Victoria Shi. For the first time in history, a digital persona will be responsible for delivering official statements on behalf of a government entity. While human writers will still craft the statements, Victoria Shi will serve as the official mouthpiece of Ukraine’s foreign ministry.
The AI-generated spokesperson, adorned in an elegant dark suit, introduced herself as Victoria Shi during the official presentation. She presented herself as a “digital person” who will represent the ministry. Victoria Shi’s lifelike gestures and articulate speech captivated audiences during the unveiling, showcasing the advanced capabilities of AI technology. Despite her AI origins, the foreign ministry has clarified that the content of her statements will be crafted and authenticated by human individuals.
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba praised the introduction of Victoria Shi as a “technological leap” that surpasses any other diplomatic service in the world. He emphasized that the primary objective of integrating an AI spokesperson was to streamline processes and conserve resources for diplomats. Victoria Shi was developed by a team known as the Game Changers, who have previously created virtual-reality content related to the conflict in Ukraine.
The AI figure’s name, Victoria Shi, combines the word “victory” with the Ukrainian phrase for artificial intelligence, “shtuchniy intelekt”. Her physical appearance and voice are modelled on Rosalie Nombre, a singer and former contestant on Ukraine’s version of The Bachelor reality show. Nombre hails from Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, which is now under Russian control. She is known for using her Instagram platform to challenge stereotypes about mixed-race Ukrainians and individuals who grew up as Russian speakers.
Despite the uncanny resemblance, it is crucial to distinguish between Rosalie Nombre and Victoria Shi. The foreign ministry has reiterated that only the AI figure will be authorised to deliver official statements. To prevent misinformation, all of Victoria Shi’s declarations will be accompanied by a QR code linking to the corresponding text versions on the ministry’s website.
One of the key areas Victoria Shi will address is the contentious topic of consular services, which has been a subject of controversy in recent times. Notably, Ukraine recently suspended certain consular services for men of fighting age residing abroad, mandating their return to Ukraine for administrative procedures and potential military conscription.
The introduction of Victoria Shi marks an innovative step towards leveraging AI technology for diplomatic communication. As Ukraine pioneers the use of a digital spokesperson, it opens up new opportunities for the intersection of technology and governance, setting a precedent for other nations to follow suit in the future.