This never happened to Ron Burgundy.
The legendary Seventies anchorman, who was portrayed by Will Ferrell in three films, had his share of problems, but dealing with artificial intelligence wasn't one of them.
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But that was then and this is most definitely now.
A new startup called Channel 1 wants to use generative AI to create automated newscasts with digital anchors that can be customized to fit viewers' political leanings. https://t.co/7UaiArg94s
— Axios (@axios) July 26, 2023
We live in a time when Hollywood actors and writers unions are jointly striking for the first time since 1960, calling for better wages and regulations on studios’ use of artificial intelligence.
The striking actors’ demands include protections against their scanned likeness being manipulated by AI without adequate compensation for the actors. and regulations on studios’ use of artificial intelligence.
Writers represented by the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since May 7 demanding, among other things, labor safeguards against AI.
Meanwhile, streaming giant Netflix (NFLX) -) is offering as much as $900,000 for a single AI product manager, according to The Intercept.
Another posting seeks a technical director to lead the adoption of AI tech in Netflix’s video game studio, with a salary range topping out at $650,000.
The Next Big Shift?
Now, TV newscasters might have something to worry about. A startup called Channel 1 News is looking to use generative artificial intelligence to create a new type of video news channel.
It's enough to put an anchorman into a glass case of emotion.
"New technology in the right hands can sometimes feel like magic," a video on the company's website said. "There have been moments in history that have catapulted society forward and we’re about to witness the next big shift."
The video promises "a global news network like no other and an immersive experience that adapts and learns from your interests and lets you navigate through stories suited to your preferences."
Channel 1 said its programming will be created in blended reality, featuring a mix of real and generated imagery, videos and anchors.
The company's news presenters are described as fine-tuned LLM -large language models- with “their own backstory, opinions, memories and appearance to provide maximum appeal across key demographics.”
News stories will be sourced and generated in a multitude of languages.
The company was founded by producer and director Scott Zabielski, known for Tosh.0, and The Jim Jefferies Show, and tech entrepreneur Adam Mosam.
— Phil build 4 million new homes in NYC (@philritz1) July 26, 2023
“The elephant in the room is this still looks like you’re watching a video game character talk,” Zabielski told The Hollywood Reporter. “I think if the technology was stuck here, this would be a really hard sell. So part of what we’re doing is, like any technology, you can’t wait until it’s perfect to start on day one."
"So, we’re obviously getting ahead of this and we’re looking down the road at 12 months from now, 18 months from now, three years from now," he added.
Editors to Verify Accuracy
Zabielski said "it is going to get to a point where you absolutely will not be able to tell the difference between watching AI and watching a human being, but we also understand that there’s going to be a pathway from here to there.”
The company intends to source its stories from credible places, including press releases from verified companies, or from partner news outlets that are interested in turning their human-generated news stories into video news reports.
There will also be a team of editors verifying the accuracy of the reports.
The social media response to the AI news channel included references to Max Headroom, the 1980s fictional character that was billed as "the first computer-generated TV presenter."
"Deal with it," Max says in one video clip.
"This is the most depressing thing I have read in awhile," another tweet read.
"We're so doomed," one person said.
"Ugh. So now we'll have to watch AI anchors 'banter' with each other?" another commenter said.
And let's not forget that Google (GOOGL) -) is reportedly testing a product that uses artificial intelligence technology to produce news stories, according to the New York Times.
The tool, known internally by the working title Genesis, can take in information — details of current events, for example — and generate news content, the Times said, citing people familiar with the matter.
Google is said to be pitching the concept to news organizations including The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal’s owner, News Corp.
