Japan debuts AI system enabling simulated talks with A-bomb survivors
KITAKYUSHU -- An event allowing participants to engage in simulated dialogue with hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivors, through an artificial intellige
In Kitakyushu, Japan, a city event was held on August 23, allowing individuals to engage in simulated conversations with atomic bomb survivors using an artificial intelligence (AI) testimony response system. Sixteen participants, ranging in age from 8 to 69, tested the system at the Kitakyushu City Museum of Peace in Kokurakita Ward.
The AI system, developed by the Hiroshima Municipal Government and completed in 2025, answers questions using testimonies from A-bomb survivors by selecting and playing relevant prerecorded video clips. The system aimed to share the experiences of survivors as they age, with five Hiroshima survivors questioned over 200 queries during its development.
During the demonstration, a Hiroshima official explained the workings of the AI, including question analysis, answer selection, and video playback. Participants asked survivors about their family situations during the bombing, aftereffects, and motivations for sharing their experiences. One survivor recounted the pain of tending to classmates with severe burns, while another emphasized the urgency of conveying the horrors of nuclear weapons to future generations.
A 15-year-old student found the system's lifelike approach impressive, while a 46-year-old resident appreciated the ease of asking painful questions. The museum plans to hold similar sessions on September 8 and 9, as the system is set for full-scale operation in fiscal 2026.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
