Talking to history: Meet Sardar Patel’s AI avatar, in 3D and ready to chat

“What difficulties did you encounter during the process of integrating the princely states into the Indian Union?”

This was one of the first questions posed to the AI avatar of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya in New Delhi. The response took visitors on an immersive journey into the past, offering a glimpse into the trials and determination that shaped the nation.

The museum is attempting to redefine how history is experienced with its latest innovation — a life-size, AI-powered Holobox of Patel.

Launched on September 17 — a date that also marks the Hyderabad Liberation Day, commemorating the end of the Nizam’s rule and the region’s integration into the Indian Union — the installation offers a groundbreaking way to connect with India’s history. Visitors can now engage in real-time conversations with a hyper-realistic avatar of Patel, India’s first Home Minister and the visionary leader behind the country’s unification.

Built by Vizara Technologies, the Holobox uses only government archives — including books, audio, video, and text sources — to train its AI model. Chief Technology Officer Gaurav Sharma explained, “This ensures that the information provided is authentic and free from external bias. The avatar’s expressions, gestures and tone have been carefully recreated to closely resemble Patel’s, making it the first meta-human model of its kind in India.”

Upon activation, the avatar greets visitors with “Namaste, I am Vallabhbhai Patel, a freedom fighter and India’s first Home Minister.” Visitors can then pose questions about Patel’s life, philosophy and contributions. A series of carefully crafted questions and answers reveal the depth of Patel’s role in unifying India after Independence.

When asked about the integration of the princely states, the avatar explained how rulers feared losing independence and how trust-building, diplomacy, and strategy were essential in resolving these issues. Hyderabad’s resistance and Junagadh’s attempted accession to Pakistan were highlighted as key challenges.

In response to questions about his personal life, Patel’s avatar recounted growing up in a small village in Gujarat, attending school miles away, and marrying at a young age in keeping with the customs of the time. “I lost my wife, and I had the responsibility of raising my children while serving the nation,” the avatar shared.

Building on the success of this model, the Sangrahalaya is preparing to introduce a life-size AI-powered avatar of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The initiative aims to inspire future generations by bringing Kalam’s vision, wisdom, and legacy to life through cutting-edge technology.