A French AI project called ‘Lucie’ faced a devastating early exit after just two days of operation, prompting widespread criticism and mockery on social media. Launched as an open-source tool designed to aid education by 2025, the platform was initially promoted by Eduscol, France’s Ministry of Education, with grandiose claims of revolutionizing educational tools. However, users quickly discovered its limitations, including incorrect calculations and nonsensical responses to simple questions about non-existent subjects like “cow eggs.”
The project, a collaboration between Linagora, the CNRS, and government support, aimed to create an ethical AI for education but instead sent mixed signals about France’s technological ambitions. Within days, ‘Lucie’ faced temporary shutdown after users mocked its failures, with some accusing it of reflecting the country’s lagging technology compared to global rivals like the U.S.
Alexandre Zapolsky, Co-Founder of Linagora, expressed regret over the rushed rollout and admitted the platform was naive for public exposure. The company faced backlash not only for the product’s shortcomings but also for its premature release into the market. Critics worry that ‘Lucie’s’ failure could discredit France internationally and overshadow future efforts in AI development.
Despite the setback, some看好 project developers, who have pledged to improve the platform’s capabilities and transparency. Sociologist Yann Ferguson notes that while initial AI developments are challenging, lessons from others like OpenAI suggest patience and persistence. With time, Linagora hopes ‘Lucie’ can prove its value in advancing ethical digital innovation within France, even as it recalibrates based on feedback and evolves its approach to meeting educational goals.
Source: https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/french-ai-lucie-shuts-down-amidst-public-mockery-162825