First-Ever AI-Generated TV Anchors Will Feature on US News in Early 2024
A new television station will feature artificial intelligence (AI) generated news anchors for the first time in the U.S. next year.
New Los Angeles-based station Channel 1, which will launch in 2024, is hoping to be the first ever national syndicated news station in the U.S. to use AI-created anchors — instead of real human people as presenters.
See the highest quality AI footage in the world.
🤯 – Our generated anchors deliver stories that are informative, heartfelt and entertaining.
Watch the showcase episode of our upcoming news network now. pic.twitter.com/61TaG6Kix3
— Channel 1 (@channel1_ai) December 12, 2023
According to a report by the Daily Mail, Channel 1’s news segments will use a combination of AI-generated humans and digital avatars that have been created using doubles of real actors.
However, real-life human anchors will be used for Channel 1’s most important news reports.
The station wants to launch these AI-generated news anchors on free ad-supported streaming TV — including apps such as Crackle, Tubi, or Pluto — as early as February.
A Whole New Meaning to ‘Fake News’
Channel 1 founder Adam Mosam tells the Daily Mail that the television station is aiming to “get out in front and create a responsible use of technology.”
Mosam assured the publication that it would not exploit AI technology. He also said that the company plans to be transparent with viewers about what footage is original and what is AI-generated.
However, others in the media industry have not been so convinced and raised concerns about the future of journalism.
If you believe in the concept of “fake news,” you have seen nothing.
At least your news is presented by humans.
When AI news anchors replace human news anchors – the concept of fake news will have a totally different meaning.
— Kristen Ruby (@sparklingruby) December 9, 2023
“If you believe in the concept of ‘fake news,’ you have seen nothing,” Ruby Media Group CEO Kristen Ruby shared on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“At least your news is presented by humans. When AI news anchors replace human news anchors — the concept of fake news will have a totally different meaning.”
While AI-generated news anchors may be a new concept in the U.S., they have been used on China’s state news channels since 2018.
Earlier this year, China revealed its latest digital news anchor — an AI-powered “woman” named “Ren Xiaorong” that delivers news 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
