Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, is known for his embrace of innovation throughout his life, from automobiles to aviation. Now, more than a century later, he has been given a digital reincarnation. An interactive experience called “Talk with TR” allows users to engage with an AI-driven avatar of Roosevelt. This virtual encounter marks the forthcoming opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, on July 4, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary.
This impressive 96,000-square-foot facility, which features a roof adorned with local grasses, sits atop a butte overlooking the Missouri River and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. With a budget of $450 million, the library blends physical and digital experiences, housing a vast collection of archival documents—hundreds of thousands of them—made accessible both in person and online, thanks to Microsoft AI technology.
Visitors will experience immersive storytelling, bringing Roosevelt’s extraordinary life and legacy to the forefront. According to Laura Hoffman, senior director and program manager at Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, the avatar allows interactions that illuminate Roosevelt’s character through vocal patterns, body language, and mannerisms. Conversations with the avatar are family-friendly, ensuring engagement from visitors of all ages.
As generative AI technology advances, various institutions—from museums to educational platforms—are creating digital representations of historical figures. These interaction opportunities range from artists like Vincent van Gogh to notable figures such as Abraham Lincoln, who made a digital appearance in 2024 to discuss criminal justice reform.
During a test of “Talk with TR,” the avatar portrayed a lively and articulate Roosevelt, reminiscent of the president who inspired citizens from 1901 to 1909 with his call for proactive civic engagement and progressive policies. Dressed in his characteristic wire-rimmed glasses, cream waistcoat, and distinctive mustache, the digital Roosevelt delivers a friendly, engaging experience akin to a historical ChatGPT.
Michael Cullinane, senior historian for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, noted that while the avatar may not be perfect, it captures many aspects of Roosevelt’s persona and accurately conveys significant political moments from his era.
To create “Talk with TR,” Microsoft utilized a wide-ranging repository of historical materials, including diary entries, letters, speeches, and telegrams from 18 different institutions, such as the Library of Congress and Harvard’s Houghton Library. Hoffman emphasized that the AI version of Roosevelt is designed with safeguards ensuring that it adheres closely to historical accounts rather than contemporary interpretations. Each response provided by the avatar links back to primary sources, enabling users to verify the historical context of the information shared.
