German TV station to start AI-generated show with avatar as moderator
BERLIN: The German news channel Welt TV is set to begin broadcasting a weekly programme produced and hosted by artificial intelligence (AI), with an avatar as moderator and host.
The programme, known by its German acronym for AI - KI - is called KI-Welt and is "about AI (and) created by AI," the channel told dpa.
"It focuses on current and relevant topics surrounding artificial intelligence, robotics and future technologies. All editorial processes – from topic selection and research to design, implementation and hosting – are controlled by AI but are editorially supervised."
The channel promises viewers in-depth insights into the most important developments and trends shaping the digital future. Welt-TV says it is the first broadcaster to launch such a programme in Germany.
In the premiere episode, a young man in a light-coloured blazer greets the audience with the words: "I may not be real, and just an avatar. However, the news I am presenting to you is absolutely real."
The avatar's voice is the clearest giveaway that the figure is computer-generated.
The AI-generated programme comes after Netflix announced earlier in June it has begun using AI-generated footage in its shows, while streaming platform Showrunner, launched last year, aims to allow users to create entire episodes of shows from prompts.
Welt TV's programme will cover topics such as European legislation on AI-related issues and a trade fair showcasing new developments in robotics. One feature is about humanoid robots in industrial production in China that are already replacing their own batteries to ensure continuous operation.
"We cannot stop the AI revolution, so we should embrace and shape it," explained Jan Philipp Burgard, editor-in-chief of the Welt Group. "Our new programme KI-Welt is an experiment to show what is already possible. Of course, regular news programmes will continue to be hosted by real people." – dpa/Tribune News Service
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