Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption China's 'first AI news anchor'

China's state news agency has unveiled a virtual newsreader sporting a sharp suit and a somewhat robotic voice. China's Xinhua News Agency has billed the technology as the "world's first artificial intelligence (AI) news anchor," unveiled at the World Internet Conference in China's Zhejiang province. You can watch the first appearance of the English-language "AI news anchor," who is modeled on real presenter Zhang Zhao, here:

Convincing though it might seem at first glance the movement of the mouth is clearly edited, its facial expression seems limited, and the voice is also highly robotic. Although Xinhua claims that the avatar "learns from live broadcasting videos by himself," the avatars themselves do not appear to artificially intelligent, as they read pre-typed text. China's state-run press agency has welcomed two additions to its team of journalists - two news presenters powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Xinhua points to what it sees as certain advantages of an AI anchor, saying it "can work 24 hours a day on its official website and various social media platforms, reducing news production costs and improving efficiency." Because they can work round the clock on Xinhua‘s official website and various social media platforms, these AI-based newscasters can reduce the costs of production and improve efficiency.
China's Xinhua News Agency unveils the world's first AI news anchor. Xinhua says the AI presenters can work "24 hours a day", thus reducing news production costs.