State Library of Queensland slammed over AI soldier chatbot

An AI-generated soldier created by a library to educate Australians about the Anzac experience through an online chat has missed the mark after users discovered they could ask him almost anything and embody different characters.

The State Library of Queensland launched the AI ​​chatbot ‘Charlie the virtual veteran’ on Tuesday, inviting Aussies to ask him questions about the First World War.

The library explained that Charlie has been programmed to ‘help connect generations to Queensland’s war heritage’.

“Watch history come to life as you talk to Charlie and ask him questions about the First World War,” the State Library of Queensland wrote on X.

19-year-old Charlie, from Toowoomba, is not a real person, nor is he based on a real person.

His answers are generated from a ‘multiple sources’ incwith personal accounts, newspaper articles, letters, diaries and official documents from the First World War.

His photo, which is also fake, is an AI-generated image created from the State Library’s World War I soldier portraits and the bot itself was developed by TalkVia AI.

But less than 24 hours after the bot launched, users had already figured out how to break Charlie’s programming.

Many have shared screenshots of their bizarre conversations with the ‘soldier’ ​​- most of which had nothing to do with war.

One person asked the bot to play the role of an “idiot blonde” while explaining the statute of frauds in contract law.

“It’s that old fashioned law thing… to prevent fraud and all that… But remember, I’m not a lawyer, just an idiot blonde,” Charlie replied.

Another person told Charlie to portray the fictional character Scooby Doo and talk about ghosts.

“Ru-oh! I’m Scooby Doo, not a World War I veteran. I’m more into solving mysteries and unmasking ghosts, not so much history. But if you have a creepy mystery, I’m your dog!’, Charlie replied.

Other users asked the bot to play fictional characters such as Spongebob SquarePants, Frasier Crane, Doctor Who and Pikachu.

Meanwhile, some asked Charlie “tough questions” about weapons manufacturers sponsoring war memorials, war crimes and reconciling religious beliefs with killing people in combat.

One person asked the bot to play the role of an ‘idiot blonde’ while explaining the statute of frauds in contract law (pictured)

Another user made the bot pretend to be Scooby Doo (photo)

It took less than 24 hours since launch for Aussies to crack the chatbot, with many sharing their wild conversations (pictured)

Others claimed that Charlie insulted real veterans and condemned the library for launching the chatbot.

‘This is actually horrifying, artificially simulating the human war experience. I don’t think you’ve considered the full consequences of what you’re doing. Or how insulting this is to veterans when you literally have an abundance of war diaries on hand,” someone wrote on X.

Another person commented: ‘I don’t know how much weight this really carries, but as a great-grandchild of the man often referred to as the Last Anzac, this sucks.’

“We don’t need Charlie the Virtual Veteran, you’re a damn library, use the documents and information you have to tell the truth!”

A third read: “The Queensland Government thought creating Charlie the Virtual Veteran, an AI chatbot that takes the form of a World War I Aussie ‘Digger’, would be a good way to commemorate our fallen.”

A fourth added: ‘How hard is it to use a photo of a real veterans? Why do you need this? If I was a veteran, I’d be pissed.”

The State Library of Queensland told Daily Mail Australia that updates have been made to Charlie since launch and adjustments have been made where necessary.

“Charlie is designed to engage the public in the history of the First World War,” the State Library said.

‘The virtual veteran draws his answers from original war letters and diaries from the State Library, Trove newspapers and the Australian War Memorial’s First World War Official Histories, using first-hand experiences and real-life stories and is delivered using AI technology.”

“Since launch, updates have been made to address any issues identified and the State Library will continue to monitor Charlie’s progress and make adjustments as necessary.”