The Rise of AI News Anchors: Advantages of AI News Anchor Applications
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Recently, a short video of American singer Taylor Swift speaking Chinese went viral on various social media platforms, with some views exceeding 6 million.
In the video, Taylor Swift and Cai Ming switch languages, speaking fluently and naturally. Compared to the original language version, the tone is almost identical, the expressions are composed, and the timing and lip-syncing are nearly perfect, without the awkward 'dubbed' feel typical of early foreign-language films. The creator claims this was achieved using a domestic AI tool that only requires uploading a video to produce such results.
While we marvel at the wonders of AI in video remixing, the news industry is also undergoing a new industrial revolution driven by AI. This year, several countries have introduced their first AI news anchors: India has Sana and Lisa, Greece has Hermes, Kuwait has Fedha, and Taiwan has Ni Zhen. The phenomenon of AI news anchors is becoming increasingly common. Can AI replace human news anchors? How can AI and human anchors collaborate to maximize efficiency?
In 2018, Xinhua News Agency pioneered the introduction of AI news anchors in China, launching two AI anchors to broadcast news on online platforms—one for Chinese scripts and the other for English scripts. Xinhua stated that virtual news anchors aim to 'work' 24 hours a day on its website and social media platforms to 'reduce news production costs.'
Four years ago, Francesco Marconi, the head of research and development at The Journal, told The New York Times that AI had become a necessity for the news industry, stating, 'I think many news tools will soon be powered by AI.'
Now, in the era of ChatGPT, newsrooms worldwide are beginning to explore how to integrate this technology into their workflows and workplaces.
In Asia, the region is currently witnessing the rise of AI news anchors, primarily aimed at meeting diverse cultural and linguistic needs.
In April this year, Indian media launched Sana, the first AI news anchor in South Asia. Sana, a news anchor for the "Aaj Tak" channel under the India Today Group, initially made occasional news briefings without much fanfare. However, she gained fame after delivering a full news bulletin in French during the channel's prime time, marking a significant milestone in Indian broadcasting history.
Other Indian media outlets quickly followed suit with their own AI anchors. For instance, Lisa, an AI anchor from a paid channel in Odisha, eastern India, can broadcast in both English and local languages. Jagi Mangat Panda, the channel's leader, described this as a "milestone in television and digital news media," noting that Lisa would handle repetitive tasks, allowing journalists to focus on more creative work and higher-quality news.
Many regional Indian AI anchors also feature local language capabilities and culturally tailored appearances. Maya, an AI anchor for Telugu-language media Big TV, embodies the typical appearance of a South Indian woman. Her creators paid meticulous attention to detail, dressing her in a pink traditional sari, adorning her with a red bindi, gold earrings, a necklace, and bangles. Maya nods and blinks naturally during broadcasts, making her appear remarkably lifelike.
Other countries and regions are also advancing the development and application of AI news anchors:
South Korea: The Korean media company Yonhap News Agency introduced AI anchors named Kim Ju-ha and Lee Ha-yu. These virtual anchors are programmed to deliver news accurately and quickly around the clock, praised for their realistic appearance and natural voice.
Japan: Japan's Nippon TV has developed an AI-based robot named Erica to serve as a news anchor. Erica is renowned for her refined appearance and ability to simulate human gestures while delivering news reports.
UK: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has implemented an experimental project called "Cue," which uses AI technology to create automated news briefings tailored to individual viewers' preferences. Cue generates personalized news summaries by analyzing user data with speech synthesis technology.
Compared to human anchors, AI anchors can deliver rapid reporting, particularly excelling in breaking news coverage. Leveraging AI video generation and big data analytics, AI anchors can instantly analyze vast amounts of data from various sources, providing real-time updates on unfolding events. This fusion of customized anchor personas and AI-generated videos enables unprecedented speed in reporting breaking news, keeping audiences informed and engaged. In emergencies, such as severe weather, AI anchors can swiftly present video content to viewers, significantly outpacing traditional anchors. AI anchors can generate text from news videos immediately, saving at least 10 to 20 minutes in breaking news scenarios.
AI anchors also enhance the efficiency of news video production. By adopting AI anchors, news media can eliminate costly human resource expenses, including salaries for anchors, reporters, camerapersons, and production staff, while reducing studio usage costs. AI anchors can work around the clock without breaks or shift changes. Additionally, AI video generation technology automates repetitive tasks such as text narration, teleprompter operation, and video editing, streamlining production workflows and optimizing resource allocation. AI anchors enable news media to cut costs and redirect resources to other critical areas of news production. According to foreign media estimates, a news outlet using AI anchors can save at least $400,000 annually.
AI anchors ensure flawless news delivery. Even the most skilled human anchors may mispronounce words or display unexpected reactions. In contrast, AI anchors excel in delivering information accurately, eliminating the risk of mispronunciations, stuttering, or incorrect information. Through deep learning algorithms and advanced speech synthesis technology, AI anchors provide perfect pronunciation, clarity, and consistency, ensuring audiences receive precise and reliable information. This builds trust in news media and minimizes the risk of misunderstandings.
The introduction of intelligent news anchors may bring about job displacement and automation issues in the media industry, while also offering more advanced news delivery and personalized services.
According to a Goldman Sachs report, artificial intelligence has the potential to automate 25% of jobs in the U.S., affecting various industries, including media. McKinsey predicts that by 2030, approximately 400 to 800 million jobs worldwide could be displaced due to automation. As AI tools become increasingly advanced and capable, traditional news broadcasting scenarios may be replaced by intelligent solutions.
This raises concerns about employment prospects in journalism and the need for workers to adapt and acquire new skills in this evolving field. While some may fear large-scale unemployment, experts argue that human creativity, insight, and interpretive abilities remain indispensable in the media industry, despite advancements in AI technology.
AI-driven news anchors have the potential to transform news delivery by providing personalized content for each viewer. With AI technology, news can be disseminated more quickly and efficiently. AI algorithms can process vast amounts of information in real-time, enabling instant updates on breaking news and developments. This means audiences no longer need to wait for scheduled broadcasts to stay informed.
AI news anchors can also tailor content to individual preferences and interests. By analyzing user data and behavioral patterns, AI algorithms can curate the most relevant and engaging news reports to meet each viewer's needs. This level of personalization ensures audiences receive a customized news experience aligned with their specific interests, enhancing engagement and satisfaction with news consumption.
Accountability and transparency are crucial ethical considerations for AI news anchors. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prevalent in journalism, news organizations must take responsibility for the decisions made by these AI systems. Transparency requires that AI technology disclose its underlying values and algorithmic rules, ensuring the news production process is understandable and subject to scrutiny. Both accountability and transparency are essential as they hold news media responsible for any biases or errors in AI-generated content.
AI anchors may also raise privacy concerns when providing personalized services. Since AI technology collects and processes vast amounts of data, personal information can be gathered without consent and used for unintended purposes. The capability of AI to monitor, analyze, and interpret personal data has sparked concerns about protecting individual privacy rights. Therefore, robust privacy protection rules must be established, ensuring transparency in how AI systems collect, store, and utilize data. Protecting user privacy should be a top priority for AI anchors in news broadcasting.
Credibility is another significant ethical issue with generative AI technology. While AI anchors can deliver news efficiently and continuously, concerns remain about the accuracy and reliability of their reports. Algorithmic bias is a critical problem that needs addressing to ensure AI-generated content does not perpetuate misinformation or favor extreme viewpoints. As society continues to examine the ethical implications of AI-generated content, finding solutions to ensure the credibility of AI anchors and uphold industry standards is paramount.
AI-powered news anchors are transforming how we access information through enhanced news dissemination and personalized services. Undeniably, the introduction of AI-driven anchors in journalism represents a game-changing revolution. While AI anchors can efficiently deliver news briefs, replicating human experience and observational skills for realistic improvisation remains a challenge.
The rise of AI news anchors is compelling media professionals to confront challenges in their foundational skills. Media practitioners will increasingly focus on work that demands creativity, insight, and interpretive abilities, writing the "1" of journalism in the era of artificial intelligence, while AI continues to add countless "0s" to our profession.