To use this site, please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page.
This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content, and analyzing our website traffic. By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies.
Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
The Yomiuri Shimbun Yokosuka Mayor Katsuaki Kamiji watches his avatar at Yokosuka City Hall in Kanagawa Prefecture on Tuesday.
The Yomiuri Shimbun
20:46 JST, April 26, 2024
The Yokosuka city government released a video on its website Tuesday of an avatar of Mayor Katsuaki Kamiji, created using artificial intelligence, speaking English.
The video aims to deliver messages to some 7,000 foreign long-term residents in the city and 20,000 people living at the U.S. Navy’s Yokosuka base, and is the first attempt by a local government in Japan.
The video was created using generative AI service HayGen, which learned the mayor’s words and actions at press conferences and created an avatar that looks just like him. The avatar speaks English by inputting AI-generated English translations. The avatar’s facial expressions and English language will reflect the emotions in the Japanese words.
