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'Does He Think He's Real?' Social Media Reacts to Trump's Talk With AI Teddy Roosevelt

The current president chatted with a life-sized AI version of the 26th US president at the new Theodore Roosevelt presidential library.

CNET 2 min read 6/10 North Dakota
'Does He Think He's Real?' Social Media Reacts to Trump's Talk With AI Teddy Roosevelt
Key Takeaways
  • Donald Trump interacted with a life-sized AI avatar of Theodore Roosevelt at the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota.
  • The AI avatar uses large language models to hold real-time conversations, similar to ChatGPT but tailored to Roosevelt's historical persona.
  • Social media reactions were polarized: some found the encounter amusing, while others criticized it as unsettling or politically motivated.
  • The Presidential Library, which opens in 2026, spent years developing this AI feature to attract visitors through immersive history.
  • This marks one of the first instances of a US president interacting with a generative AI avatar of a historical figure in a public event.
The 45th president chatted with a life-sized AI version of Teddy Roosevelt—and social media had plenty to say. Donald Trump interacted with an AI avatar of Theodore Roosevelt at the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, sparking widespread reactions online. The avatar, a life-sized, animated figure powered by artificial intelligence, engaged in conversation with the former president during a promotional event for the library. Social media users quickly responded with humor, skepticism, and criticism, questioning the surreal nature of the exchange. The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, set to open in 2026 in North Dakota, aims to use state-of-the-art AI to bring the 26th president to life for visitors. For this event, the library partnered with an AI firm to create a digital Roosevelt capable of real-time dialogue. Trump's visit and the subsequent viral clips have thrust the project into the national spotlight. The conversation touched on topics like leadership and history, though specific details were not disclosed. Observers note that this incident underscores a growing trend of using generative AI in historical settings to create immersive experiences. However, it also raises questions about authenticity and the politicization of AI avatars. Critics argue the technology could be used to distort history or lend credibility to political figures. As AI avatars become more common in museums and libraries, the line between educational tool and political prop will blur. The Theodore Roosevelt Library plans to continue developing the AI Teddy Roosevelt, and similar projects are expected at other historical sites. This event may mark a pivotal moment in how public figures leverage AI for engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a life-sized, animated figure of Theodore Roosevelt powered by generative AI, capable of holding real-time conversations. It was developed for the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota.

Trump visited the library and spoke with the AI avatar as part of a promotional event. The avatar responded to his questions and comments using a language model trained on Roosevelt's speeches and writings.

The surreal nature of a former president talking to an AI version of another president, combined with the polarized reactions to Trump and the novelty of the technology, led to widespread sharing and commentary on platforms like X and TikTok.

The avatar uses a large language model (similar to GPT-4) fine-tuned on historical texts from Roosevelt, combined with speech synthesis and facial animation to create a lifelike interactive experience.

The library is scheduled to open in 2026, but the AI avatar was previewed early during Trump's visit to generate publicity and test the technology.

It offers immersive educational opportunities but also raises concerns about historical accuracy, potential misuse for political propaganda, and the blurring of fact and simulation.

Topics

AI avatar Teddy Roosevelt Donald Trump presidential library generative AI social media reaction historical reenactment

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www.cnet.com

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