Hendrick’s Gin Launches ‘Chat G&T,’ a Human-Run Alternative to AI-Based Chatbots

Move over ChatGPT, there’s a new chatbot in town and it’s run by humans and fueled by gin. (Photo: Hendrick’s Gin)

On April 20, Scottish spirits brand Hendrick’s Gin launched Chat G&T, the very first chatbot run by humans and fueled by gin.

“This unrivaled, ultra-sophisticated intelligence will be human in nature and deployed by Elliot, a five-year university student who obtained his knowledge via diverse life experiences and a fair amount of unchartered traveling,” Hendrick’s shared.

“Chatting with only a Hendrick’s & Tonic in hand while perched in his home library, Elliot will happily reply to your curious queries until he becomes too tired or too peckish to continue.”

AI chatbots are computer programs that simulate human conversation through text or generated speech. They use natural language processing to understand user inputs and, in turn, provide relevant responses. Chatbots have quickly grown in popularity over the past months due to their aid in efficiency and overall intrigue.

Hendrick’s noted that Elliot can be seen turning to a dictionary, or even his “brainy” sister, Helen, instead of scouring the internet for answers as the usual AI chatbot does.

Hendrick’s provided a menu listing possible questions to ask Elliot, alongside his capabilities and limitations. (Photo: Hendrick’s Gin)

“While not the most efficient chatting service, we believe Elliot is the most tasteful (not unlike Hendrick’s Gin, which is wildly inefficient to create, yet outrageously delicious to sip upon),” the gin producer added.

“Whether regaling you with jokes, belting out your favorite lullaby while advising you on cocktail pairings or telling you what the capital city of Tuvalu is, chatting with Elliot is to be best enjoyed with your very own Hendrick’s Gin & Tonic in hand.”

According to Hendrick’s, Elliot was selected as part of this unique project so that the gin maker could present a human alternative to the bevy of AI chatbots we see today. For instance, in March, AI and juniper spirits collided when OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT, was tasked with creating “the best cocktail in the world” and generated a recipe for a gin-based drink. The cocktail then went on to be served at a VR experience bar in London for a limited time.

The Chat G&T event took place at 12 p.m. ET on the Hendrick’s Gin U.S. Instagram LIVE on Thursday, April 20. Then, Elliot was seen singing songs, reciting poems and answering a variety of both existential and whimsical questions — all while sipping a gin and tonic.

Find a clip from the event here.

In March, Hendrick’s unveiled the latest gin in its Cabinet of Curiosities. The new spirit, Flora Adora, is a limited-edition offering perfect for the passionate fan of flowery flavors and good gin. Rightly so, it was highlighted as one of the best floral gins to try in celebration of spring (and all year round, of course).

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