Hangzhou news program adds AI-generated hosts

A television channel in Hangzhou has launched an innovative newscast featuring AI-generated anchors, drawing significant attention and sparking discussions about the role of artificial intelligence in the media industry.

During the Spring Festival holiday, Hangzhou News Broadcast, produced by Hangzhou Culture, Radio and Television Group, used AI-generated anchor Xiaoyu for the entire news reporting process.

Xiaoyu was made to look like human host Liu Yuchen, who praised her digital counterpart.

"Seeing a digital AI avatar that looks exactly like me for the first time was magical," Liu said. "After more than a year of continuous learning and technological advancements, it has become more and more like me."

Liu said she began participating in the creation of the AI anchor during the Asian Games last year.

"The AI needed to capture my voice, movements, expressions and more. The process was quite cumbersome and time-consuming back then, often taking several hours to record just one aspect," she said.

Since 2023, the company has been developing an AI-driven short video production workshop, which led to the launch of its first project — the Intelligent Language Digital Human Application Creation Platform.

According to the company, the platform uses professional-level human filming combined with AI algorithms to replicate appearances and voices, creating ultra-realistic digital humans for broadcast.

With the debut of Xiaoyu, Hangzhou News Broadcast became the first news program in China to feature AI-generated hosts for an entire show.

AI technology has advanced rapidly, and in less than a year, Xiaoyu has undergone multiple updates.

"Now, capturing a single image may only take five to 10 minutes. That's quite impressive," Liu said.

The AI avatars have also become increasingly lifelike.

"My male co-host also has a digital avatar that can even replicate the movement of his Adam's apple, making it very realistic," she added.

Other Chinese media outlets are also exploring AI in journalism. In Shenzhen, a local TV station introduced a humanoid robot named Kua Fu, which served as a special reporter at the city's political meetings this year. In January, the CCTV Spring Festival Gala featured robots performing choreographed dances, clapping and twisting their hips with ease.

The use of AI-generated anchors is not new. In March last year during China's two sessions — the annual meetings between the National People's Congress, the nation's top legislature, and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body — China Central Television's financial news division created AI versions of real anchors who provided real-time responses to audience questions.

The growing presence of AI in newsrooms has sparked debate, with some expressing concerns that the technology could replace human journalists and lead to job losses.

Liu said, however, that AI avatars are meant to be partners at work rather than replacements.

"AI avatars can handle routine tasks in news broadcasts, allowing us to dedicate more time to in-depth reporting and meaningful communication with interviewees," she said.

Although AI newscasting is highly precise and nearly error-free, it lacks the emotional nuance of human anchors, Liu said, calling emotional expression a unique advantage of real broadcasters.

Wang Min, an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Communication at the Minzu University of China, said AI optimizes the division of labor but cannot replace human judgment, critical thinking or creativity.

"Instead, AI can free up journalists to focus on deeper investigative work and more comprehensive analysis, ultimately elevating the role of the news industry in society," she said.

Wang added that AI's impact extends beyond journalism, with applications in healthcare, education, culture and tourism.

"AI enhances efficiency, optimizes workflows and provides assistance, allowing people to focus on more creative tasks," she said.

Contact the writers at zhaoruinan@chinadaily.com.cn