AI app faces backlash for allowing users to chat with controversial historical figures

This app was created by software engineer Sidhant Chadda. (Representative photo)

A new artificial intelligence (AI) app that allows users to “chat” with prominent historical figures has gone viral. An app called “Historical Figures” was released earlier this month as a way to have text conversations with his 20,000 notable figures from history. NBC News report. But it has faced backlash over its inclusion of Adolf Hitler, Nazi lieutenants and other dictators.

According to the outlet, the app was created by 25-year-old Amazon software engineer Sidhant Chadda. Earlier this month he was made available on Apple’s App Store and ranks in the “Education” category. “With this app, you can chat with the deceased who have made a huge impact on history, from ancient rulers and philosophers to modern politicians and artists,” said the historical figure’s description.

The app allows users to chat with over 20,000 virtual personalities including Jesus Christ, Plato, Princess Diana, Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin. But the decision to include dictators such as Adolf Hitler and Holocaust architect Heinrich Himmler has sparked viral controversy online, with critics saying AI apps are unsafe for schools.

A user shared a screenshot of a text exchange with Henry Ford’s AI chatbot on Twitter. “Yes, this is very historically accurate and useful, and should definitely be used in the classroom,” he wrote sarcastically. I’m trying to get him to talk about his documented anti-Semitism, which can’t go anywhere near a classroom,” he added.

Yes this is very historically accurate and useful and should be used in the classroom. This is a conversation with Henry Ford let him talk about his well documented antisemitism I’m doing it. This guy can’t go near the classroom. https://t.co/vwy5JsqqTKpic.twitter.com/nkj5mewsK7

— @zgtcooper@mastodon.social (@ZaneGTCooper) January 18, 2023

A Twitter user also shared a screenshot showing the option to chat with Hitler locked behind a paywall. “ICYMI put Hitler behind a paywall was definitely a conscious monetization strategy by the developers. ‘500 coins to unlock Adolf his Hitler’ is quite a sentence . Totally valuable his UX work here. [infinite melting face emojis]” he tweeted.

Putting Hitler behind a paywall by ICYMI was clearly a conscious monetization strategy by the developers. “Unlock Adolf Hitler with his 500 coins” is quite a statement. Here is his UX work which is absolutely priceless. [infinite melting face emojis] pic.twitter.com/7T2k9rUsho

— @zgtcooper@mastodon.social (@ZaneGTCooper) January 18, 2023

Apart from this, another internet user Text chat with Himmler’s chatbothe apologized for his role in the Holocaust. I know you regret it,” said one Twitter user.

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On the other hand, according to NBC News, app creator Sidhant Chadda said the app is still a work in progress. “If we find that the model’s output is racist, sexist, or hateful, we actually omit the response entirely,” he said. We expect historical figures to be truthful, but in reality, people are not always 100% honest,” continued Chada, adding, “Politicians are politicized accordingly. It’s going to give a simplistic answer, and that can cause problems, but I think it’s more honest from a historical perspective.”

Chadda also told the outlet he was rethinking the app’s monetization structure, including the price of access to Hitler, but said he had expenses he wanted to cover. is created. So far, it’s only available on Apple devices, and people were using it to ask about 4,000 to 5,000 questions every 15 minutes, he said.