Ukraine has introduced an AI-powered digital spokesperson named Victoria to represent the foreign ministry and communicate official statements on its behalf.

Getting to Know Victoria

Victoria Shi, the AI spokesperson, was presented via a social media update as a "digital spokesperson." She appeared in a black suit, adorned with a pin in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, with her hair neatly styled. Despite resembling a real person, her features and voice are computer-generated, based on a singer and former participant of Ukraine's reality show Rosalie Nombre. Ukrainian officials clarified that Victoria Shi and Nombre are distinct individuals.

Victoria's digital portrayal includes realistic body movements during speech, such as hand gestures and head movements typical of newscasters, although some observers noted minor discrepancies in lip synchronization. Her name is a combination of 'Victoria' symbolizing victory and 'Shi,' an abbreviation for AI in Ukrainian.

Recent Developments in AI Avatars

A Microsoft research project has focused on developing realistic talking heads using a single image and a voice recording. However, access to the technology remains limited to Microsoft engineers involved in the project due to concerns about its potential misuse for creating deepfakes.

Similar initiatives in other countries such as China, Pakistan, Kuwait, and India have featured AI news anchors on local news channels, with varying degrees of realism. Microsoft's technology offers smoother lip synchronization but less fluid head movements compared to some of these counterparts.

Utilizing Technology for Authentic Communication

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that Victoria will deliver statements drafted by human writers, marking the first deployment of a digital entity within its organizational history.

In an introductory video shared by the ministry, Victoria Shi introduced herself and her purpose, emphasizing her role in safeguarding the interests and rights of Ukrainians residing abroad.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba underscored that creating Victoria aimed to streamline resources and time for diplomats. Addressing the technological leap, he stated that Ukrainian diplomacy was pioneering advancements unseen in other diplomatic services, signifying a significant evolution in the field.

The virtual persona was developed by the animation studio The Game Changers, recognized for producing digital content related to Ukraine's ongoing conflicts. Victoria has amassed a substantial following on Instagram, where she engages in discussions about the experiences of mixed-race Ukrainians and those fluent in Russian, fostering unity within the Ukrainian community.

To combat misinformation and enhance transparency, all statements delivered by Victoria will feature a QR code linking to the official written versions hosted on the foreign ministry's website.