AI-operated Robots Write Letters for Humans

Humans have been writing by hand for thousands of years.

人类用手写字已有数千年历史。

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

自古以来，人们用尽各种能想到的工具来分享信息、做生意和保存记录。

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

如今，写信正以人工智能操控的机器人这种形式重新流行起来。

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

这些AI机器人可以用人们自己的笔迹替他们写便条。

David Wachs is the head and founder of Handwrytten.

戴维·瓦克斯是Handwrytten公司的负责人兼创始人。

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.

他说，企业用他公司的机器人来写手写信和“感谢”卡，以便与收信人建立牢固而亲切的联系。

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

许多非营利组织也用手写信来让捐款源源不断。

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

瓦克斯解释说，这有助于把一次性捐赠者变成每年都捐款的人。

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

瓦克斯补充说：“我认为旧的东西又变新了。”

Automated letter writing is not new.

自动写信并不是新鲜事。

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

美国第三任总统托马斯·杰斐逊经常使用英国发明家约翰·艾萨克·霍金斯制造的复写机。

Jefferson considered the device the greatest invention of his time.

杰斐逊认为这台装置是他那个时代最伟大的发明。

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

它让他能够复制自己的信件，留作个人记录。

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

莫里尔补充说，这位总统一度拥有十多台这样的装置。

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

历史学家说，杰斐逊借助这项他认为了不起的技术，一生写了近两万封信。

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

莫里尔记得曾有一位访客对他说：“你们美国人怎么总是追逐这种新而又新的东西？

Other cultures aren't like this.

其他文化可不是这样。

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

“我觉得这在某种程度上是从杰斐逊开始的，”莫里尔补充说。

Handwriting technology has greatly changed since Jefferson's time.

自杰斐逊时代以来，手写技术发生了巨大变化。

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

瓦克斯说，这类技术如今包括3D打印和激光切割等。