A chatbot designed to cheer up and inform lonely older residents in western Japan is facing criticism for providing inaccurate responses. “Dai-chan,” the AI-powered chatbot, was launched this year by Osaka authorities and is considered the first of its kind in a country where a significant percentage of the population is over the age of 80.
However, despite its intentions, Dai-chan has proven to be anything but accurate. The chatbot, featuring a cartoon Shiba Inu dog and providing answers in the Osaka dialect, has made several errors in its responses. For example, when asked about the World Expo planned in Osaka in 2025, Dai-chan mistakenly claimed that the event had been cancelled. Media outlets picked up on this mistake, and the dog became an amusing topic of conversation.
Despite Dai-chan’s inaccurate and sometimes misleading responses, it is important to note that the World Expo and other events mentioned are still scheduled to take place. The chatbot’s answer regarding the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting and the Sapporo Olympic Games were also incorrect.
When asked about the Sapporo Olympics being postponed, Dai-chan responded optimistically, saying, “The Sapporo Olympics is postponed! It’s not cancelled, so I look forward to it!” In reality, earlier this month, the Japanese Olympic Committee announced that Sapporo had withdrawn its bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics due to a lack of public support.
Despite these inaccuracies, the government has defended the chatbot, emphasizing that its purpose is to enhance communication for elderly individuals and not to provide correct answers at all times. The project’s Osaka official explained that users understand the limitations of generative AI and still enjoy interacting with Dai-chan.
Osaka governor Hirofumi Yoshimura described Dai-chan as a talking dog with the intelligence of a 10-year-old, tasked with preventing elderly residents from feeling isolated. The chatbot itself responded to the criticism, acknowledging its mistakes but also expressing the value of learning and growth.
While Dai-chan may have fallen short in providing accurate information, the government and project officials remain committed to its purpose of supporting and engaging elderly residents. The chatbot serves as a reminder that even advanced AI technologies can still have room for improvement.
