GabyThe world’s first “child” with artificial intelligence, Tong Tong — which means “little girl” — has a somewhat eerie appearance. She seems to have stepped into our reality from a sci‑fi thriller about a child android. However, unlike cinematic characters of this type, Tong Tong does not have a physical form. She exists only as a virtual entity.
Researchers from the Beijing Institute of General Artificial Intelligence (BIGAI) demonstrated Tong Tong’s capabilities for the first time at the Frontiers of General Artificial Intelligence Technology exhibition. BIGAI called the display a significant breakthrough for AI.
What is Tong Tong like?
Tong Tong has the appearance and cognitive level of a three-year-old and can reportedly experience emotions such as joy, anger, and sadness.
BIGAI says Tong Tong can learn autonomously and explore her virtual environment. She interacts with people online, allowing her to continuously acquire knowledge and skills.
Guests at the exhibition interacted with Tong Tong, assigning her tasks. For example, she was asked to tidy up. She wiped up spilled milk with a towel she found on her own, Daily Mail reported. She also fixed a crooked picture frame. If the frame was too high, Tong Tong stood on a stool and completed the task without help.
Tong Tong’s most unusual feature is her ability to set tasks for herself. AI chatbots such as ChatGPT or Google Bard perform only the tasks humans give them and do nothing unless prompted.
BIGAI researchers say Tong Tong defines new tasks for herself based on values and common sense similar to human reasoning. The team says their “child” is significantly more independent than previous AI systems.
“To move toward general artificial intelligence, we need to create entities that can understand the real world and possess a wide range of skills,” said Zhu Songchun, director of BIGAI.
