For the first time in its history, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has used Artificial Intelligence technologies to create a digital personality to provide official commentary to the media on consular information. Victoria Shi, the MFA representative for consular relations, is modelled after Rosalie Nombre, a real-life Ukrainian musician and influencer who volunteered to serve as the representative’s prototype and participate in the project pro gratis. The project team shot and digitally transformed her. The consular representation and her real-life prototype are two distinct people, and the only person who speaks on behalf of the MFA’s diplomatic service officially is Victoria Shi, the digital person.   

What does this AI spokesperson do?  

Victoria Shi, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Consular Affairs representative, introduced herself in her welcome video message, “My name symbolizes our main goal - Ukraine’s victory and my surname is the Artificial Intelligence that created me. My job will be to provide the public with timely and verified information from the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. I will provide journalists with news about the work of consuls to protect the rights and interests of Ukrainian citizens abroad, respond to incidents or emergencies, and other news.”  

In an official statement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said Victoria Shi’s remarks would be shared with journalists by the MFA press office and made available on the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website and social media platforms.  

According to Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, “Using an AI-generated digital person for consular comments is primarily about saving time and resources for the MFA. Real diplomats will be able to be more effective and focus on other tasks to help citizens”.  

It’s a need, not a whim  

The Minister also underlined in the statement that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' active use of Artificial Intelligence technology is a need during times of war, not a whim. All procedures must be accelerated, and staying one step ahead is essential to achieving the outcomes required for the nation.  

“Creating a digital consular representative is part of a broader strategy to systematically implement advanced technologies using artificial intelligence in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Diplomacy, not only in Ukraine but worldwide, has always been a conservative sphere that was the last to innovate. We are changing this. Ukrainian diplomacy is now strengthening its capabilities and making a technological leap that no other diplomatic service in the world has ever made,” the Minister added.   

A safeguarded deployment of technology  

It’s important to remember that Victoria Shi is also protected against digital fakes on multiple levels by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Every consular representative’s original video features a QR code that links to the text version of the same statement on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website. If the video does not have a QR code or goes to another website, it is not regarded as real.  

In addition, the statement said that the consular official is not the replacement for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson. Oleh Nikolenko’s term of office is ending, and the MFA has already organized a competition to fill this position. Now that the winner has been chosen, they are going through the required unique processes, and the statement reads.  

The NGO “The Game Changers” team carried out the project for the consular AI representative of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with help from the NGO “Nazovni Tech”.   

Source & Image: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine