Ukrainian Ministry Announces AI-Generated Spokesperson Victoria Shi

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry starts using an AI-generated spokesperson named Victoria Shi. The artificial spokesperson must officially speak to the media and citizens with 'verified information'.

On X, the ministry shares a video of Shi and emphasizes that a QR code is shown with every official communication using Shi. This code directs users to the official website of the Ukrainian government. In this way, the legitimacy of the images must be proven.

In a press release, the ministry says that an AI-generated information officer was chosen to save time and resources: “Real diplomats can thus concentrate on other tasks,” according to a translation of the message. The war with Russia also plays a role in this.

Victoria Shi is based in appearance and voice on the Ukrainian singer and influencer Rosalie Nombre, who is said to have given her likeness to the government pro bono. According to the ministry, the first name of the AI ​​person is a reference to 'the victory of Ukraine' and the surname refers to the Ukrainian spelling of the abbreviation for artificial intelligence, namely Шi. The country's government also announced that it has collaborated with the NGOs The Game Changers and Nazovni Tech.

👋 Meet Victoria Shi — a digital representative of the MFA of Ukraine, created using AI to provide timely updates on consular affairs!

For the first time in history , the MFA of Ukraine has presented a digital persona that will officially comment for the media. pic.twitter.com/KTtuCVR1ku

— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) May 1, 2024

Update, 2:50 PM – Information has been added about the origin of the name of the AI.