Chatbots are all the range right now, and as part of this trend one app has harnessed the power of artificial intelligence to allow users to have 'conversations' with historical figures.
Cool, huh? Well, it would have been, had it not made the controversial decision to include figures such as Adolf Hitler.
People have been slamming the 'deeply disturbing' app, which also includes little known individuals such as Jesus Christ.
Per the description of the chatbot, which dropped earlier this month: "Our app 'Historical Figures' uses advanced AI technology to allow users to have conversations with over 20,000 historical figures from the past.
"With this app, you can chat with deceased individuals who have made a significant impact on history from ancient rulers and philosophers, to modern day politicians and artists.
"Simply select the historical figure you want to chat with and start a conversation. You can learn about their life, their work, and their impact on the world in a fun and interactive way.
"Our AI is designed to provide you with a realistic conversation experience, making it feel like you're really talking to these historical figures."
Other famous faces include Plato, Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin and even Princess Diana.
The app itself was created by 25-year-old Sidhant Chaddha, who works as a software engineer for Amazon.
Although the premise is rather unique, people haven't take too kindly to the idea of being able to chat with the likes of Hitler, as well as Joseph Goebbels, Jeffrey Epstein and Pol Pot, from beyond the grave.
In one conversation shared on Twitter, the chatbot for Holocaust architect Heinrich Himmler can be seen saying that he 'deeply regrets' his actions, describing his intentions as 'deeply misguided'. Bit of an understatement.
Another user shared an exchange in which Anne Frank says she 'admires Himmler's dedication to his work'.
Then there's a guy who spoke with AI Henry Ford, who decided to justify his well-documented antisemitic beliefs.
Oh, and Goebbels' bot described the 'great successes' Nazi Germany 'achieved' during his time as minister of propaganda, but that 'there are many things that could have been done differently'. Again, bit of an understatement.
In short, it's a bit of a nightmare right now as the backlash to the app is mounting.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a Jewish organisation that fights the spread of hate, shared a statement about the app's problematic features with NBC.
Vice president of ADL's centre for technology and society, Yael Eisenstat, said: "Having pretend conversations with Hitler – and presumably other well-known anti-Semites from history – is deeply disturbing and will provide fodder for bigots."
UNILAD has contacted Sidhant Chaddha for comment.
Topics: Technology, Racism, World News, Viral
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