**National Intelligence Service Introduces AI ‘Virtual Information Agents’ for Public Relations **
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea has been drawing attention by unveiling two virtual information agents, created with artificial intelligence (AI), on their social networking sites (SNS) and official websites. The NIS last month posted a video introducing the ‘virtual information agents’, tagging it with keywords such as ‘virtual humans’ and ‘AI humans’. The video features a well-dressed man and woman, named ‘Kim Jeong-bo’ and ‘Lee Jeong-won’, respectively. They introduced themselves as ‘NIS virtual information agents’ and announced they will be responsible for delivering news related to national security.
These virtual agents are contributing to the promotion of the NIS by featuring in Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about public recruitment and in weekly information news (NIS WIN) videos. At first glance, they seem like real people, but upon closer observation, their monotonous tone, rigid stance, and lack of emotional expression make it clear that they are not.
In comparison to various other virtual humans who are active as home shopping hosts and advertising models, there is a noticeable difference. An NIS official explained that they introduced virtual information agents to improve the traditionally closed and rigid image of the agency and to promote national security content in a more friendly manner. The official also mentioned plans to enhance the naturalness of these virtual agents by teaching them various gestures and expressions in the future.
https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/1092101.html
https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/1092101.html