Victoria Shi: World’s First AI Spokesperson representing Ukraine

Victoria Shi: World’s First AI Spokesperson representing Ukraine

KAKALI DAS

How can you become a government spokesperson? In Ukraine, becoming a government spokesperson doesn’t necessarily require being human. Meet Victoria Shi, a prime example of the future of government communication.

Victoria Shi is Ukraine’s first digital spokesperson. She is created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine with the use of AI technology, in order to quickly and efficiently inform you about Consular issues.

Resembling a human, Victoria Shi’s appearance draws inspiration from a Ukrainian singer, complete with hand gestures and head movements, lending her an almost lifelike presence. However, her persona is a product of Artificial Intelligence. While her image is AI-generated, her dialogues are written by humans.

Victoria’s primary role is to deliver official statements for the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine, aiming to streamline communication processes and conserve resources. Notably, some individuals, such as British singer FKA Twigs, can apparently related to this approach.

Twigs is orchestrating the future as well. Several artists have repeatedly expressed their concerns about AI’s potential misuse in appropriating artists’ likeness and impacting their livelihoods. Now, FKA Twigs is revolutionizing the game.

Twigs is developing a deepfake version of herself—an AI-generated image imbued with her likeness, personality traits, voice, and speaking style. This digital replica will serve as her proxy for engaging with fans and journalists, allowing her to focus on her music. Basically, Twigs is delegating social interactions, earning acclaim as a legend among introverts.

Although both the examples are from different backgrounds – first from a government, and second from an artist – yet they illustrate a common trend: humans leveraging AI avatars to delegate tasks, whether it’s government communication or personal interactions for artists. This raises the question: is this the trajectory of the future?

AI has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of our modern life existence, contributing to various facets of daily life.

From crafting essays and scripts through ChatGPT to helping with tasks such as setting reminders, sending messages, or answering questions, with the help of AI-powered virtual assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa, and assistance in medical diagnosis, streamlining healthcare processes, and aiding in sleep improvement – AI’s applications are boundless and continually evolving.

Despite the excitement it generates, there’s an underlying fear that AI’s proficiency in tasks could jeopardize traditional employment opportunities.

However, experts remain optimistic, suggesting that AI can never fully replace humans as long as we excel in one crucial skill: Master the art of Delegation. Simply put, figuring out what we need to do ourselves, and what is best left to the machines. This approach allows us to leverage AI’s capabilities effectively and maintain a competitive edge. After all, AI already excels in delegation too.

AI is adeptly assigning tasks to humans, but there’s no need for concern; humans are quickly adapting. A K-pop star has a digital twin that is always available for fan interactions, and soon, influencers will follow suit.

Countries like India, China, Greece, Kuwait, and Taiwan feature lifelike AI anchors. While the Mayor of the Big Apple lacks a personal avatar, he employs AI for automated phone calls, with a deepfake of his voice and tone used in the process. Consequently, New Yorkers find themselves puzzled by Eric Adams speaking to them in Mandarin and Yiddish.

While amusing, these developments raise serious ethical concerns regarding the extent of similarity permissible. How identical is too identical? Questions regarding copyright and ownership inevitably arise. Additionally, when is it appropriate to use AI?

Determining the appropriate contexts for AI usage becomes paramount. Should employees employ AI avatars for office meetings? Could individuals send AI avatars to represent them in court hearings? While the latter seems impossible, but if it were possible, our corrupt politicians would’ve definitely considered it. (eyes roll)

Furthermore, the use of AI raises questions about its appropriateness for governments and influencers alike. Should governments and Influencers be using AI? Public figures inherently bear an unspoken responsibility to engage with the public; removing this could make them akin to influencers conversing to the walls. Yet, the prospect of mishaps looms large.

What if something goes wrong? Who bears responsibility, and what are the ensuing consequences? With numerous questions remaining unanswered, sailing the ethical implications of AI integration proves challenging.

Indeed, AI is merely a tool, albeit an imperfect one. It lacks human judgment and a moral compass, operating within defined limitations. Assigning tasks to AI can streamline processes, but it’s crucial to understand its capabilities, identify boundaries, and assume responsibility.

Once these parameters are established, the possibilities abound: AI avatars could potentially cancel plans on your behalf, or laugh at your PJs (poor jokes). However, before exploring these opportunities, it’s important to figure out where the boundaries lie.

03-05-2024

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