China unveils AI news anchor

In one of the most interesting developments of the past week, Chinese press agency, Xinhua unveiled AI anchors, digital composites of news presenters created from previous footages reading news in synthesised voice.

Though the technology used for the creation is still being debated, The Verge reports that it is in line with the most recent machine learning research. Xinhua, reportedly, can programme the digital anchors to read the news, far quicker than using traditional CGI. According to the agency, AI anchors, created in collaboration with Chinese search engine company Sogou, can work 24 hours a day on multiple platforms. Though the makers can claim “endless prospects” of cheap news report generation and cost-efficiency, there are limitations like limited range of facial expressions, artificial voice. However, with machine learning research making swift progress, a future era of indistinguishable AI anchors seems not too far.