None of these anchors are real: Channel 1 plans for AI to generate news, broadcasters
The world's first news network entirely generated by artificial intelligence is set to launch next year.
Channel 1 released a promotional video explaining how the service will provide personalized news coverage to users from international affairs, finance and entertainment. The outlet said how their team of AI generated reported can offer a global perspective 24/7.
The reporters in the video appear to be human but are actually made from the scan of a real person. With digitally generated voices and zero human emotion, the reporters can tell the news in any language.
"You can hear us and see our lips but no one was recorded saying what we're all saying," an blonde artificial journalist who appears to be a real human person said in the video. "I'm powered by sophisticated systems behind the scenes."
Founder and entrepreneur Adam Mosam said the news aired on the network will come from legacy outlets and commissioned freelance reporters. Additionally, the AI will generate its own reporting from public records and government documents.
AI network to launch on streaming by spring
The creators Mosam and film producer Scott Zabielski said they aim to launch Channel 1 AI for free with ad-supported streaming on apps this spring.
The founders are also planning a Channel 1 app with its own translation feature by the summer.
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Creators say program will re-create real events
The initial demo of the network relied on stock footage and photos however the creators said they intend to re-create events not captured by camera using generative AI, according to a story by The Hollywood Reporter published in July.
"The closest analogy I could give is when you talk about a trial that was covered with 'there’s no cameras allowed' and you’ll see the courtroom sketch," Mosam told The Hollywood Reporter. "What we’re looking to do potentially is to add visuals where we would clearly denote this is generated imagery. So we’re not trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes to say like, 'Our cameras were inside the Oval Office when this meeting happened.'"
Zabielski said that the channel follows what other companies such as Spotify and TikTok use to make the user experience more personal, adding "that’s something we don’t really see in news yet."
Questions raised about AI's journalistic integrity
Channel 1 has raised concerns about the accuracy and journalistic integrity of AI generated reporting.
LAist Associate Editor Aaricka Washington said the promotional video shows how easy it will be for AI news to spread misinformation.
"This is terrifying. Sure, news will be easier and quicker to produce, but the costs overwhelmingly outweigh the benefits. AI news is a new frontier that will make it easier for bad faith actors to spread misinformation and disinformation. We can't even imagine the impact," Washington wrote.
"If you believe in the concept of 'fake news,' you have seen nothing," Ruby Media Group CEO Kristen Ruby wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "At least your news is presented by humans. When AI news anchors replace human news anchors - the concept of fake news will have a totally different meaning."
