View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
November 9, 2018updated 30 Sep 2022 7:03am

Chinese state news agency unveils AI news anchors who can work 24 hours a day ‘uninterrupted’

By Charlotte Tobitt

China’s state news agency has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first artificial intelligence news anchors, modelled on two of its own real-life journalists, who can deliver the news non-stop.

Xinhua News Agency claims the AI anchors can read text “as naturally as a professional news anchor” and will present the news in English and Chinese – a trial video in English has been published on social media.

The AI anchors’ speech and facial expressions appear as though real-life news presenters Zhang Zhao and Qiu Hao. Their mouths move in sync with the lines they are reading out, with a computer speaking for them.

The new technology made its debut at the World Internet Conference this week after being jointly developed by the news agency and Chinese search engine company Sogou.

The agency said the “male” AI anchors have become part of its reporting team able to work 24 hours a day, including on its website and social media platforms, as they are fed continuous streams of text by writers.

It said this will increase efficiency and reduce production costs.

Xinhua added that the anchors may prove particularly useful for delivering breaking news in a timely way.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

In a video posted on Twitter, the English speaking AI anchor said: “The development of the media industry calls for continuous innovation and deep integration with the international advanced technologies.

“I will work tirelessly to keep you informed as texts will be typed into my system uninterrupted. I look forward to bringing you the brand new news experiences.”

Picture: Xinhua News Agency

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network