Latest news with #DibrugarhAirport
Mint
15-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Meet Ankita, Assam's new AI anchor that delivered Cabinet highlights including airport renaming, tea garden worker grant
The future of news broadcasting is rapidly evolving, and Assam has just taken a bold step into it. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled 'Ankita', an AI-powered virtual news anchor, who delivered a detailed report on the latest Cabinet meeting — a first for the state and a striking example of how artificial intelligence is reshaping India's media landscape. The announcement came via a video shared by the Chief Minister on social media platform X, where Ankita, with a lifelike digital persona and fluent Assamese voice, presented updates from the Cabinet proceedings. The AI anchor reported on key developments such as the decision to rename Dibrugarh Airport after cultural icon Bhupen Hazarika, as well as the time grant approval for tea garden workers — all delivered with clarity and poise that mirrored human news presenters. 'Meet Ankita, our AI anchor who brings to you the latest updates on the recent #AssamCabinet meeting. From approving the change of Dibrugarh Airport's name after Bhupen Hazarika to a time grant for tea garden workers, we took a host of decisions for the public,' Sarma wrote while posting the clip. Ankita's debut, however, has triggered a mixed wave of reactions online. Supporters of the move hailed it as a testament to Assam's growing embrace of digital transformation. One user remarked, 'This will be an innovation in developed Assam, not only in the roads and streets but also in the field of science and AI.' However, others expressed concern over the implications of such technology for human employment. 'Should have hired a real person — at least this would have created a job opportunity :)' another user commented, highlighting the ongoing debate around automation and unemployment. With Assam's launch of Ankita, the use of AI in Indian newsrooms continues to gain traction. As the technology becomes more accessible, there is a high possibility of more states and organisations following suit. However, the development is also prompting wider discussions on its potential impact on employment within the media sector. For now, Assam's adoption of an AI news presenter signals a growing push toward tech-driven governance and communication.
NDTV
14-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
"Meet Ankita": Himanta Biswa Sarma Shares Video Of AI Anchor Reporting On Assam Cabinet Meeting
The AI era is here, and with it, AI news anchors are becoming a reality, transforming the way we consume news. India's AI news anchor landscape is also rapidly expanding, with numerous channels and organisations adopting digital presenters to deliver news, marking a significant shift in the country's media industry. On Wednesday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma showcased Ankita, an AI-powered virtual anchor. The video highlighted Ankita delivering a detailed report on the latest updates from a recent Assam Cabinet meeting. Designed with remarkably human-like features, including a natural appearance and a fluent Assamese-speaking voice, Ankita presented the key decisions and discussions from the meeting with clarity and precision. "Meet Ankita, our AI anchor who brings to you the latest updates on the recent #AssamCabinet meeting. From approving the change of Dibrugarh Airport's name after Bhupen Hazarika to a time grant for tea garden workers, we took a host of decisions for the public," Mr Sarma wrote while sharing the video. Watch the video here: Meet Ankita, our AI anchor who brings to you the latest updates on the recent #AssamCabinet meeting. From approving change of Dibrugarh Airport's name after Bhupen Hazarika to one time grant for tea garden workers, we took a host of decisions for the public. Drop in your views! — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 14, 2025 The video has sparked mixed reactions. While some social media users expressed their excitement about AI's innovation and potential benefits, others were concerned about job displacement for human news anchors and journalists. One user wrote, "Loving how tech is being used to keep citizens informed. Go Ankita." Another said, "Should have hired a real person at least this would have create a job opportunity." A third noted, "Ankita the AI anchor is such a cool concept – making governance updates so much more accessible." AI Anchors And Newsreaders These AI-driven avatars, powered by advanced natural language processing and realistic text-to-speech technologies, deliver news with human-like fluency, tone, and expression. Pioneered in countries like China, where Xinhua's AI anchor "Xin Xiaowei" debuted in 2018, the trend is spreading globally. AI anchors offer 24/7 availability, multilingual capabilities, and cost efficiency, eliminating the need for salaries or breaks. They can be customised to suit diverse audiences, adapting accents or appearances instantly. While AI anchors are unlikely to fully replace humans soon, their integration is reshaping the industry, blending technology with journalism and challenging traditional notions of news delivery in an evolving digital era.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Dibrugarh welcomes cabinet move to rename airport after Bhupen Hazarika
1 2 3 4 5 6 Dibrugarh: Citizens and organisations across Dibrugarh have welcomed Assam cabinet's decision to rename the city's airport after legendary cultural icon and Bharat Ratna recipient, Dr Bhupen Hazarika .The decision, approved on May 10 under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's leadership, marks a significant milestone in the state's efforts to commemorate the birth centenary of the beloved artist popularly known as ' Sudhakantha ' (the nectar-voiced).The cabinet announced plans to convene a special one-day session of the Assam Assembly to pass a formal resolution on the matter, which will subsequently be forwarded to the Union govt for final approval. The move comes after sustained appeals from local campaign to rename the airport gained momentum in early May, when multiple organisations sent memorandums to PM Modi, CM Sarma, and Union civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu. The Dibrugarh Press Club was among the first to submit a request on May 4, followed by the Eastern Assam Chamber of Commerce and Industry on May 6, and the Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha and Greater Dibrugarh Press Club on May 7. The All Assam Students' Union joined the chorus on May 8, urging authorities to honour Hazarika's contributions."This is a moment of immense pride for all Assamese people. We have been advocating for this renaming for years. Hazarika was not just an artist but a unifying force whose music and poetry transcended linguistic and cultural boundaries. The airport bearing his name will serve as a fitting gateway to the region he loved so dearly," Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha secretary Ratul Gohain said on Dibrugarh Airport, constructed in the early 1950s and located approximately 15 km from the city at Mohanbari, stands as one of the northeast's busiest aviation hubs, handling over one million passengers annually. It connects major Indian metropolitan centres, including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Guwahati, and February 2009, the facility underwent substantial modernisation with the construction of an integrated terminal spanning 113,410 square feet. Its 1,829-meter runway supports night landing and aerobridge facilities, reinforcing its status as a crucial aviation hub."Dibrugarh Airport is a gateway to the Northeast, and naming it after Sudhakantha is a fitting tribute. Beyond the symbolic significance, the renaming acknowledges Dibrugarh's importance as a cultural and economic centre in Northeast India. As visitor numbers continue to grow, travelers will be reminded of Dr Hazarika's artistic genius the moment they arrive," EACCI president Bhaskar Gogoi said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
