This is the world’s first Artificial Intelligence anchor reading the news in English on the state-owned Xinhua network in China.
The unnamed presenter is based on real-life Xinhua news anchor Zhang Zhao and uses the latest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to carry out the role.
The ‘man’ made his debut at the 2018 World Internet Conference taking place in the city of Wuzhen located in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang.
According to reports, the AI anchor “learns” from watching videos of broadcasters and can read out the news as “naturally” as a real-life TV presenter.
He was developed by the Xinhua News Agency, China’s official state-run network, and the public search engine developer Sogou.
Meanwhile, Xinhua claims that the AI presenter has become a fully-fledged member of its news team and is available to work 24 hours a day.
The network plans on using the AI anchor on its official website and associated social network accounts.
The company even said that the artificial presenter will reduce news production costs and improve efficiency.
In the video clip, the presenter says: “Hello everyone, I am an English Artificial Intelligence Anchor. This is my very first day in Xinhua News Agency.
“My voice and appearance are modelled on Zhang Zhao, a real anchor with Xinhua.”
He then goes on to explain that rolling news stories can be “fed” to him as they develop in real time, whatever the hour.
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Story By: Gabriel Zamfir, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: AsiaWire
