Could AI News Anchors Replace People Soon?

Media outlets pay a fortune to have people sit behind a desk and present the news by, well, reading off a teleprompter. But what if the news anchor is the teleprompter in human form? The next decade will see media outlets replace expensive employees with far cheaper AI news anchors who look and sound almost like real people but can read the news just as effectively if not more.

Technology has developed to the point that an AI-generated news anchor is already a reality but is still in its beta testing stages. China’s state-run Xinhua news agency has an AI anchor, as do Kuwait News, and India Today. With the ability to literally “work” 24 hours a day, AI news anchors can recite the news non-stop without even needing a bathroom break. With editors on standby to work out the proper text, AI anchors can perform perfectly well under any circumstances.

Unappappable when faced with the worst crises or human tragedies, AI anchors can deliver the news without interruption or emotion.

This is all fine if the AI news anchors are repeating the news. But what happens if they generate the news? There are significant drawbacks to consider.

AI anchors lack the emotional depth and spontaneous reactions that human anchors contribute, which are crucial for storytelling and audience connection. Technologically, AI still faces challenges in processing complex language and may struggle in unscripted scenarios. The introduction of AI in newsrooms also raises concerns about job displacement in journalism. In addition, viewers might be wary of the reliability and potential biases of AI-delivered news, as AI systems can be influenced by their training data. Ethical considerations also arise, particularly regarding the potential misuse of AI for spreading misinformation or propaganda.

This is the big question that has skeptics wondering where this is all going. Many people fear that AI news anchors could create an Orson Welles-type level of chaos when they broadcast a fake alien invasion on the radio in the 1930s causing widespread panic. With free rein to say what they want, AI anchors could bring calamity to Earth in one fell swoop.

We are already seeing reports of anti-US deepfake newscasts produced by pro-China bot accounts. Other fake AI newscasts exist as well. If these are true, then the skeptics are correct, and we do have what to worry about. The fake news spread on social media until now in previous years is nothing compared to what we may see in the coming decade and beyond. The misinformation campaigns we see today will multiply manifold as AI takes over in media newsrooms.

In truth, AI news anchors offer a blend of advantages and drawbacks. As noted, one of the primary benefits is their ability to provide consistent and uninterrupted news delivery, as they can operate continuously without fatigue. This aspect, along with potential cost savings in salaries and related expenses, makes them an economically attractive option.

In addition to these advantages, of course, is the fact that AI anchors are capable of delivering news in multiple languages, enhancing the accessibility and reach of content. They are also adept at quickly updating news and correcting errors, ensuring that viewers receive the most current information. AI technology is even able to personalize news content to match individual viewer preferences, thereby increasing engagement.

As AI technology evolves, its role in news broadcasting will likely continue to be a topic of debate, balancing these pros and cons.