Town mascot Seika Kyomachi to get artificial intelligence : The Asahi Shimbun

SEIKA, Kyoto Prefecture--Fans of the adorable Seika Kyomachi, the town of Seika's popular mascot, will soon be able to carry on a conversation with the digital character. The small town, located between Kyoto and Nara, is collaborating with NTT Communication Science Laboratories to develop artificial intelligence capabilities for the mascot. The plan would allow Seika Kyomachi to answer questions from visitors and locals about tourism and municipal administration. Seika officials announced the project in July, and aim to put the AI-driven character into practical use in November. The town introduced Seika Kyomachi as its official mascot in 2013 and has long pioneered new ways to use the cute character.