1 of 1- RadioActive
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WKBW-TV Admits Using AI-Generated Voice To Read Some News Headlines
It's a first for TV news in this area as far as I know. Alan Pergament notes in the Buffalo News that WKBW-TV has been experimenting with an Artificial Intelligence version of an employee's actual voice to read headlines on its local afternoon show.
Management is careful to stress the test has not displaced any employees, nor do they expect it to, that they were transparent about it on screen, and that it ended last week, as the results are being "evaluated."
“We are exploring emerging technology in a limited capacity to find the most efficient ways to allow our teams to focus on reporting local news in their communities," [explains the owners' V.P. of local media.] "When we do use AI for voice overs, we are transparent with our viewers with a bug on the top left of the screen that lets them know the voice – which is a real person’s voice – is AI generated.”
Almost certainly a taste of things to come, unless there's a huge viewer backlash.
WKBW owner evaluating artificial intelligence test
- Jody Thornton
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Re: WKBW-TV Admits Using AI-Generated Voice To Read Some News Headlines
Well despite any potential backlash, this is something that is ONLY going to improve and go ahead.
Secondly, to think that no employees will ever be displaced as a result doesn't make sense. The oppotunity for cost savings here is gargantuan. It would be silly to invest in the R&D, and then not to use this to replace services/elements such as imaging, quick reports (like traffic, weather or business).
I don't want that to happen, but it's hard to believe it wouldn't. I mean hey, there was a reason I left this business. Sure, I was only reporting traffic, but the way I see it, those are the sorts of assignments that are in the direct line of fire when it comes to AI.
Cheers,
Jody Thornton