Russian President Vladimir Putin encountered a surreal moment during an annual Q&A session when an artificial intelligence (AI) version of himself approached him with a question on artificial intelligence and its associated risks. The AI ‘double,’ posing as a university student from St Petersburg State University, left Putin momentarily speechless and garnered laughs from the audience.
The AI version queried, “Is it true you have a lot of doubles? And also: How do you view the dangers that artificial intelligence and neural networks bring into our lives?” Putin, initially surprised by the unexpected encounter, responded with a brief pause, “I see you may resemble me and speak with my voice. But I have thought about it and decided that only one person must be like me and speak with my voice, and that will be me.” Putin added a touch of humour, stating, “That is my first double, by the way.”
The video of this unusual exchange circulated widely on social media, capturing the unscripted moment and showcasing Putin’s candid reaction to the AI-generated inquiry. The incident underscored the increasing integration of AI into various aspects of public life, even reaching the upper echelons of political interactions. While the encounter was light-hearted, it hinted at the broader implications of AI advancements and the potential role of digital replicas in future interactions.
As AI technology continues to evolve, incidents like this contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding the ethical and societal implications of AI, especially when replicating public figures. Putin’s composed yet surprised response highlighted the novel nature of such encounters and provided a momentary blend of intrigue and amusement for the audience, shedding light on the intersection of technology and political engagement.