An AI-generated soldier created by a library to inform Australians about the Anzac experience through an online chat failed after users discovered they could ask him almost anything and embody various characters.
The State Library of Queensland launched AI chatbot ‘Charlie the Virtual Veteran’ on Tuesday and invited Australians to ask it questions about the First World War.
The library explained that Charlie is slated to “help connect generations to Queensland’s wartime heritage.”
“Watch history come to life as you chat with Charlie and ask him questions about the First World War,” the State Library of Queensland wrote in X.
Charlie, 19, from Toowoomba, is not a real person nor is he based on a real person.
Charlie the Virtual Veteran was launched by the State Library of Queensland (pictured)
Your responses are generated from a ‘crowd sources’ incIncluding first-person accounts, newspaper articles, letters, diaries and official records from the First World War.
Its image, which is also fake, is an AI-generated image created from portraits of World War I soldiers from the State Library and the robot itself was developed by TalkVia AI.
But less than 24 hours after the bot was launched, users already figured out how to break Charlie’s programming.
Many have shared screenshots of their strange conversations with the “soldier”, most of which had nothing to do with the war.
One person asked the robot to play the role of a “dumb blonde” while explaining the statute of frauds in contract law.
“It’s this old law… to prevent fraud and stuff… But remember I’m not a lawyer, just a dumb blonde,” Charlie replied.
Another person told Charlie to play the fictional character Scooby Doo and talk about ghosts.
‘Ru-oh! I’m Scooby Doo, not a World War I veteran. I’m more dedicated to solving mysteries and unmasking ghosts, not so much to the story. But if you have a spooky mystery, I’m your dog! Charlie replied.
Other users asked the robot to play fictional characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Frasier Crane, Doctor Who and Pikachu.
Meanwhile, Charlie was asked “tough questions” by some about gun manufacturers’ sponsorship of war memorials, war crimes and reconciling religious beliefs with the killing of people during battle.
One person asked the robot to play the role of a “dumb blonde” while explaining the statute of frauds in contract law (pictured).
Another user made the robot pretend to be Scooby Doo (pictured)
It took less than 24 hours from its launch for Australians to break the chatbot and many shared their crazy conversations (pictured)
Others claimed Charlie was insulting real veterans and criticized the library for launching the chatbot.
“This is really horrible, trying to artificially replicate the human experience of war. I don’t think you’ve considered all the ramifications of what you’re doing. Or how insulting this is to veterans, when you literally have a huge stash of war diaries by hand,” wrote one person on X.
Another person commented: “I don’t know how much weight this really carries, but as a great-great-grandson of the man often referred to as the last Anzac, this sucks.”
‘We don’t need Charlie, the virtual veteran, you’re a fucking library, use the records and information you have to tell the truth!’
A third chimed in: “The Queensland Government thought creating Charlie the Virtual Veteran, an AI chatbot that takes on the appearance of a World War I-era Australian ‘Digger’, would be a good way to remember our fallen.” .
A fourth added: “How difficult is it to use a real image of veterans?” Why do you need this? If I were a veteran I’d be pissed.’
The State Library of Queensland told WhatsNew2Day Australia that updates have been made to Charlie since its launch and adjustments have been made where necessary.
“Charlie was designed to engage the public in the history of World War I,” the State Library said.
“The Virtual Veteran draws his answers from original wartime letters and diaries from the State Library, Trove newspapers and the Australian War Memorial’s Official Histories of the First World War, drawing on first-hand experiences and real-life stories delivered using artificial intelligence technology.”
“Since its release, updates have been made to address any identified issues and the State Library will continue to monitor Charlie’s progress and make adjustments as necessary.”