'Mr. Democracy 2.0': Digital exhibition brings Lee Teng‑hui to life via AI

New Taipei, July 30 (CNA) An AI-powered, interactive exhibition opened Wednesday on the fifth anniversary of former President Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) passing, inviting visitors to engage in conversations with Taiwan's "Mr. Democracy."

The "PROTOTYPE: Mr. Democracy 2.0" exhibition features a "digital" Lee created using generative AI, complete with the late former president's accent and mannerisms, such as stroking his chin while thinking, pushing up his glasses, and tidying his hair.

Visitors can engage with the AI-generated Lee by asking him questions. Some of the questions recommended by organizers include: "What were your hopes for Taiwan's democratization?" "What struck you the most during the authoritarian period?" and "What is your favorite sport?"

The digital Lee understands and speaks Mandarin, English, Japanese, and Hokkien (commonly known as Taiwanese)-- just like the real Lee.

Lee Teng-hui spearheaded efforts to revoke the Temporary Provisions against the Communist Rebellion in 1991, officially ending Taiwan's authoritarian era.

He pushed for constitutional reforms that mandated the re-election of National Assembly members in 1991 and the first full re-election of lawmakers since 1948 the following year.

In 1996, Lee oversaw Taiwan's first direct presidential election, which sparked the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis, when China conducted a series of missile tests close to Taiwan. Lee's contributions to democratizing Taiwan and his election that year earned him the nickname "Mr. Democracy" from Newsweek magazine.

"President Lee led Taiwan from authoritarianism to a fully democratic society, empowering people to become true masters of the country," said former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) at the exhibition's opening ceremony.

Tsai noted that the exhibition offers a new way to channel Lee's ideas and reflect on Taiwan's democratic journey. "These responses may inspire us to figure out solutions to overcome the challenges of this era," she said.

She also shared a personal memory from the late 1990s, when she was tapped by Lee to serve as an advisor on the National Security Council but was "still a scholar with little political experience."

"I had no idea why he chose a political novice like me to sit down and talk with," she said.

"He did most of the talking, and honestly, I didn't understand most of it." She recalled how Lee switched between Mandarin, Taiwanese, Japanese, and English, making their conversations "a mental workout," but said she always felt his intention to mentor and guide.

Today, technology makes that dialogue easier, Tsai said. "Through digital Lee, younger generations can better understand his contributions and hopes for Taiwan's future."

In her remarks, Annie Lee (李安妮), daughter of the former president and chairperson of the Lee Teng-hui Foundation, said, "This is not only a tribute to my father but a commitment to Taiwan's future. Democracy is not just a system, it's a belief."

The free exhibition, which runs until Aug. 1, 2027, at the National Taiwan Library, is a collaboration between the Lee Teng-hui Foundation, the Institute for Information Technology, Academia Historia and the National Taiwan Library.