--- title: "World Leaders Shown AI Baby Versions of Themselves at European Summit" description: "Albania kicked off a major European summit on Friday with a video montage that included AI-generated versions of attending leaders as babies." date: "2025-05-17" modified: "2025-05-17" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/ai-baby-world-leaders-summit" categories: - "Artificial Intelligence" tags: - "ai" - "europe" - "politics" - "the digest" --- # World Leaders Shown AI Baby Versions of Themselves at European Summit ![World leaders being shown baby versions of themselves at a global summit.]() *\Image: Reuters via YouTube\* ## Baby Erdoğan's Mustache It's called *diplomacy*, guys. This year's European Political Community, an annual forum for European leaders founded in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, kicked off on Friday in Tirana, Albania. Europe's leaders were greeted with a [ten-ish minute presentation]() that celebrated Europe's commitment to sovereignty and shared triumphs over evil. There were flashing lights and dance performances, and a few different video sequences. And to close out the show, [as *Politico* reports](), the Albanian government landed on the obvious editorial choice: a montage of the summit's leaders pictured as AI-generated babies, who each said "Welcome to Albania" in their country's language. It was perfect. Did baby-fied Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey's authoritarian strongman, rock a tiny AI-generated mustache? He did indeed! Did French President Emmanuel Macron smack his gum in pleasant bemusement as he watched his AI baby self smile onscreen? You bet! Our hats are off to [Edi Rama](), Albania's recently re-elected president. So far, between MAGAworld and its monarch [embracing AI slop]() as its [defining aesthetic](), AI-generated misinformation [causing chaos](), and [attempted AI mayors]() and [political parties](), this is easily the most compelling use of generative AI in politics we've seen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7OBWloLxUs ## Politicking The camera televising the event repeatedly panned to the crowd, where the response from Europe's most powerful was mixed. Some laughed, while others bristled; some mostly looked confused. Which makes sense, given that this is a serious conference where, per *Politico*, the majority of leaders are looking to push for harsher sanctions on Russia as its war on Ukraine wages on and [tense talks]() between Moscow and Kyiv continue without a ceasefire. It's unclear how the AI baby bit fit into Albania's message of a peaceful, unified Europe. Though the presentation did *start* with childlike drawings, the sounds of kids laughing, and a youthful voiceover, so maybe it was an attempt to bring the show full circle? Or maybe, considering the heavy subject matter and fast-heating global tension and uncertainty, Rama just wanted to break the ice. Anyway. We're sure nothing will humble you, a leader of a nation, like sitting in an auditorium and oscillating between unsure grimaces and giggling whilst staring down your AI-generated baby face. **More on AI and guys in Europe:** [*The New Pope Is Deeply Skeptical of AI*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()