Historians have, according to the Daily Mail, gone berserk on social media over the new app "Historical figures chat" which enables users to chat with historical figures.
The answers are produced using AI technology based on a large amount of data.
Björn Lundberg, historian at Lund University, sees a risk in people not understanding that technology is entertainment, not facts.
- It's an entertaining illusion.
But it is important to keep fiction and reality separate, he says.
Nazi leaders deny anti-Semitism
Over the years, historical films and novels have evoked similar reactions from historians.
However, Lundberg believes that the attitude is beginning to change within the profession.
- In general, today there is greater acceptance that this is part of our culture.
That we simply use history.
But then there are people who are controversial, says Björn Lundberg and mentions Karl XII and Hitler among others.
Nazism in particular has created reactions in the case of "Historical figures chat".
Several American media report that when users chat with, for example, Nazi leaders such as Goebbels and Himmler, they deny that they are anti-Semites.
When Kulturnyheterna tests the app, the user is warned in the chat that the answers "may not be historically correct" - At the same time as Olof Palme speculates whether other governments were involved in his murder, while Greta Garbo states that John Gilbert was the love of her life and August Strindberg confirms that he lost control of his anger and attacked Verner von Heidenstam.
Not appropriate teaching technique
According to NBC, the 25-year-old engineer behind the app states that the goal is for the app to be used as a teaching tool.
However, Björn Lundberg is skeptical that this type of AI technology will find its way into teaching in the near future.
- I would be very careful to use this at the moment.
It is better to go to the sources then, he says, adding that AI will probably be used in the future in various ways to "bring history to life".