AI-operated Robots Write Letters for Humans

Humans have been writing by hand for thousands of years.

人類用手寫字已有數千年歷史。

Since ancient times, people have used every tool imaginable to share information, do business, and keep records.

自古以來，人們用盡各種能想到的工具來分享資訊、做生意和保存紀錄。

Now, letter writing is making a comeback in the form of artificial intelligence-operated robots.

如今，寫信正以人工智慧操控的機器人這種形式重新流行起來。

These AI robots can write notes for humans in their own handwriting.

這些AI機器人可以用人們自己的筆跡替他們寫便條。

David Wachs is the head and founder of Handwrytten.

大衛·瓦克斯是Handwrytten公司的負責人兼創辦人。

He said businesses use his company's robots for handwritten letters and “thank-you” notes to create a strong and personal connection with those who receive them.

他說，企業用他公司的機器人來寫手寫信和「感謝」卡，以便與收信人建立牢固而親切的聯繫。

Many non-profit organizations also use handwritten letters to keep donations coming.

許多非營利組織也用手寫信來讓捐款源源不斷。

It helps turn one-time givers, or donors, into yearly givers, Wachs explained.

瓦克斯解釋說，這有助於把一次性捐贈者變成每年都捐款的人。

Wachs added, “I think what's old is new again.”

瓦克斯補充說：「我認為舊的東西又變新了。」

Automated letter writing is not new.

自動寫信並不是新鮮事。

Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President, often used a polygraph created by British inventor John Isaac Hawkins.

美國第三任總統湯瑪斯·傑佛遜經常使用英國發明家約翰·艾薩克·霍金斯製造的複寫機。

Jefferson considered the device the greatest invention of his time.

傑佛遜認為這台裝置是他那個時代最偉大的發明。

It let him make copies of his letters to keep for his own records.

它讓他能夠複製自己的信件，留作個人紀錄。

The president had more than ten of the devices at one point, Morrill added.

莫里爾補充說，這位總統一度擁有十多台這樣的裝置。

Using what he considered wonderful technology, historians say Jefferson went on to write almost 20,000 letters in his lifetime.

歷史學家說，傑佛遜藉助這項他認為了不起的技術，一生寫了近兩萬封信。

Morrill remembered that a visitor once told him, “What is it about you Americans and this new, new thing?

莫里爾記得曾有一位訪客對他說：「你們美國人怎麼總是追逐這種新而又新的東西？

Other cultures aren't like this.

其他文化可不是這樣。

“And I think this kind of begins with Jefferson,” Morrill added.

「我覺得這在某種程度上是從傑佛遜開始的。」莫里爾補充說。

Handwriting technology has greatly changed since Jefferson's time.

自傑佛遜時代以來，手寫技術發生了巨大變化。

Wachs says such technology now includes 3D printing and laser cutting, among others.

瓦克斯說，這類技術如今包括3D列印和雷射切割等。