Michelle ThompsonA French government-backed AI chatbot, named Lucie, has been taken offline following a wave of online ridicule caused by its bizarre responses. The chatbot, designed to operate in French, delivered nonsensical answers to simple queries, such as advising a user to eat “cow’s eggs.”
Linagora Group, part of the consortium behind Lucie’s development, described the chatbot as an “academic research project in its early stages.” The group admitted it had been “prematurely” released and acknowledged the need for clearer communication about its current limitations.
“We got carried away by our enthusiasm,” Linagora stated. Michel-Marie Maudet, Linagora’s general director, told CNN the team plans to update the model and privately test a beta version before relaunching it publicly.
Lucie’s errors included claiming that “cow’s eggs, also known as chicken’s eggs, are a source of protein and nutrients” and incorrectly solving a math problem, stating 5 × (3+2) equals 17 instead of 25. It also claimed, humorously, that “the square root of a goat is one.”
Developed to promote French as a dominant language in AI and challenge English-based models like ChatGPT, Lucie is named after humanity’s oldest ancestor. Its logo merges France’s national symbol, Marianne, with actress Scarlett Johansson, referencing her role in the film Lucy. The design includes a blue, white, and red shawl, symbolizing French sovereignty.
Supported by President Emmanuel Macron as part of the €54 billion France 2030 investment initiative, Lucie represents France’s ambitions in AI innovation. Macron is also set to host the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris from February 10–11, bringing together global leaders and tech experts.
Emily Martinez
