China introduces world's first AI news anchor
News anchors would be in great danger now that a news report has surfaced from Xinhua, China’s state news agency stating that it now fields AI anchors, which will “tirelessly” cover all the news all the time, from every corner of the country. As public and private companies continue to develop with Artificial Intelligence and explore its many possible applications, there's a growing concern that AI-technology will replace most human beings.
As the Chinese viewers tune in for viewing news, they are greeted by a digitised version of a regular Xinhua news anchor named Qiu Hao. The anchor, dressed in a pin-striped suit with a red tie, nods his head in emphasis, blinking and raising his eyebrows slightly. He confirms that not only can he accompany those 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, he can be endlessly copied and present at different scenes to bring the news to them. The Chinese agency also introduced the Anglosphere to an English-speaking AI, based on another presenter.
The AI technology was created by Xinhua and Chinese search engine Sogou. The digital anchors themselves were developed through machine learning and taught to simulate the vocalizations, facial movements and gestures of real-life broadcasters, so as to present a lifelike image instead of a cold robot.
The AI anchors were introduced during China’s annual World Internet Conference, which is pitched as the country's very own Davos for technology and futurism, and provide a showcase for China’s future plans, whether for the internet or just technology of the future.
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