Taipei: An AI-powered, interactive exhibition opened Wednesday on the fifth anniversary of former President Lee Teng-hui’s passing, inviting visitors to engage in conversations with Taiwan’s “Mr. Democracy.”
According to Focus Taiwan, 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, with organizers recommending inquiries about his hopes for Taiwan’s democratization, experiences during the authoritarian period, and favorite sports.
The digital Lee is capable of understanding and speaking Mandarin, English, Japanese, and Hokkien (commonly known as Taiwanese), mirroring the linguistic abilities of the real Lee. Lee Teng-hui played a crucial role in revoking the Temporary Provisions against the Communist Rebellion in 1991, officially ending Taiwan’s authoritarian era. He also initiated constitutional reforms that led to the re-election of National Assembly members in 1991 and the first full re-election of lawmakers since 1948 in the following year.
In 1996, Lee oversaw Taiwan’s first direct presidential election, triggering the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis when China conducted missile tests near Taiwan. Lee’s efforts in 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 at the exhibition’s opening ceremony. Tsai noted that the exhibition presents a new way to channel Lee’s ideas and reflect on Taiwan’s democratic journey, potentially inspiring solutions to contemporary challenges.
Tsai also shared a personal memory from the late 1990s, recounting how she was chosen by Lee to serve as an advisor on the National Security Council despite her limited political experience at the time. She recalled their multilingual conversations as “a mental workout,” but always felt Lee’s intention to mentor and guide.
Annie Lee, daughter of the former president and chairperson of the Lee Teng-hui Foundation, emphasized that the exhibition is not only a tribute to her father but also a commitment to Taiwan’s future, underscoring democracy as a belief. The free exhibition, running until August 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.