China's Xinhua News Agency on Thursday unveiled the world's first AI anchor that can read news in English and Chinese.
Xinhua News Agency, in collaboration with search engine operator Sogou, unveiled the new technology at the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, China, the South China Morning Post reported. The AI anchor takes the form of a human and reads news articles aloud. The minimal facial expressions and lip movements are very realistic.
Xinhua's first English-language AI anchor introduces himself and his abilities. The AI anchor's face and voice were designed based on the station's news anchor Zhang Zhao. He can read news typed into a teleprompter. The AI news anchor also “works tirelessly” to ensure it reads the news without interruption.
AI news anchors also collect data and learn how to develop themselves. Xinhua News Agency reported, “He has taught himself to watch live video broadcasts and is able to read texts as naturally as a professional newscaster.''
Xinhua also said that the AI anchor has already become a member of the station's reporting team. He has news on his website and his social media platforms that allow him to work continuously 24 hours a day. AI anchoring is said to “reduce news production costs and improve news efficiency.”
AI anchors have also started providing news reports. Since it is an AI anchor, the news is read out in a very monotonous manner with no facial expressions in between. The AI anchor himself admits that the technology is still in its infancy and needs many improvements.
