Jeju Island’s government steps into the future by initiating an AI-powered news broadcast named ‘Weekly Jeju’, which has recently become a hot topic in online communities. The show, which is hosted by a computer-generated announcer named ‘J-NA’, started in early March and airs every Friday.
Unlike conventional presenters, J-NA is not a learning AI but a Virtual Human, created with advanced graphics technology; she simply speaks scripted lines input by the programmers. Residents of Jeju can access this innovative news service not just on the official ‘Shining JejuTV’ YouTube channel and website but also through local administrative systems.
The Jeju government pays approximately 600,000 KRW monthly for J-NA’s services, highlighting the cost-effectiveness and flexibility of using AI for content creation. While some netizens marvel at the accelerated pace of AI advancement, there are concerns over the “uncanny valley” effect, where the resemblance to actual human broadcasters might elicit discomfort or fatigue in some viewers.
Technical limitations also persist, as the robotic voice struggles to replicate the nuanced intonation and cadence of human speech, sometimes causing awkwardness in news delivery. Surmounting these obstacles remains essential for AI’s continued adoption in news programs.
Nevertheless, the use of AI, including J-NA and chat technologies like Chat GPT, underscores Jeju’s commitment to digital transformation in administrative matters. With eyes on the evolution of such virtual entities, their potential role in the public sector is being closely monitored.
The advent of AI anchors harbors immense potential for not only the media industry but also various societal aspects. As we enter the age of AI, embracing the innovative waves and crafting a better future with our intelligence and creativity is imperative.
Important Questions and Answers:
Q: Why has Jeju Island adopted an AI news anchor?
A: Jeju Island has adopted an AI news anchor to enhance efficiency in news delivery and embrace digital transformation in administrative communication.
Q: What are the main challenges associated with the use of AI anchors?
A: The main challenges include overcoming the “uncanny valley” effect that might cause discomfort among viewers and addressing technical limitations such as the AI’s robotic voice failing to replicate the subtleties of human speech.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages:
– Cost-effectiveness: The Jeju government’s monthly expenditure on J-NA is relatively low, suggesting that AI can be more budget-friendly than employing human presenters.
– Availability: The AI anchor can be accessed via various platforms, increasing the accessibility of news.
– Consistency: AI anchors can work tirelessly and deliver scripted news in a consistent manner.
Disadvantages:
– Lack of emotional depth: AI anchors currently cannot match the emotional nuances that human presenters can bring to news delivery.
– Jobs for human anchors: The rise of AI anchors could potentially affect employment opportunities for human news presenters.
– Resistance from the audience: Some people might find AI anchors unsettling or less engaging than human anchors.
Key Challenges or Controversies:
– The uncanny valley effect and audience discomfort: This is a common phenomenon where AI entities that closely resemble humans can cause unease.
– Future job displacement: As AI technology advances, there are concerns about human job losses, particularly in industries reliant on human presentation skills.
– Ethical considerations: There are ongoing debates regarding the ethical use of AI in media and the potential for AI to spread misinformation if not closely regulated.
Suggested Related Link:
– For information on digital transformation and AI advancements: MIT Technology Review.
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