The foreign policy spokeswoman is Victoria Shi, who will provide timely updates on the war and offer information on ongoing military activities in the country
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With human features, but generated by artificial intelligence: this is how Kiev entrusts its official foreign policy declarations to a spokesperson created by AI. The Ukrainian government presented to the public Victoria Shi, digital representative, who “for the first time in history” will read official statements. Which, however, as they were keen to point out, will be designed, written and verified by human beings. Artificial intelligence, explained the head of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, “helps us create only the visual part” with a result that is the result of a “technological leap that no diplomatic service in the world has yet made” (here is the live blog on the war in Ukraine).
A promising spokesperson, right from the name
Saving time and resources for the benefit of diplomats, the main goal for the creation of Victoria Shi. But its creators, a team called Game Changers that has also made virtual reality content related to the war in Ukraine, are thinking bigger. Starting from her name, which is partly inspired by the word “victory” and partly by the Ukrainian expression that indicates artificial intelligence: ‘shtuchniy intelekt’.
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The “true identity” of the Ukrainian spokeswoman
Shi actually has a real namesake: Rosalie Nombre, singer and former contestant on the Ukrainian version of the reality show The Bachelor. she was born in the now Russian-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. An influencer with 54,000 Instagram followers, who offers daily insights into stereotypes about mixed-race Ukrainians and those who grew up Russian-speaking. Nombre agreed to take part in the initiative without receiving any compensation. And, as later clarified by the ministry, she made it a point to make it known that Shi and Nombre “are two different people” and that “only the figure of Artificial Intelligence will release official statements”.
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How Shi will avoid running into digital forgeries
Shi specified in his video message that his task will be to report operational and verified information from the ministry’s consular department to the public. “I will inform journalists about news regarding the work of officials in protecting the rights and interests of Ukrainian citizens abroad, responding to accidents or emergency situations, and other news.” To avoid falsification, the declarations will be accompanied by a QR code that will link them to the text versions on the ministry’s website. Shi, in particular, will release statements and information on consular services. Still a hot topic for the government, considering that last week the nation suspended consular services for men of fighting age living abroad, making it necessary for them to return for any administrative procedures. And, it seems, also to face the draft. Overall, Shi will save the ministry’s time and resources, allowing Ukrainian leaders to focus on other activities
