AI-generated sportscasters spark call for AI media policies

Following the launch of GMA-7's artificial intelligence-generated sportscasters, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said it is time for Philippine newsrooms to discuss and develop policies on AI technology use.

"This development is a prompt for newsroom managers and their staff to discuss and develop policies on AI, which we hope will be towards helping media workers instead of replacing them," NUJP said in a statement.

"We urge colleagues to start these conversations in their workplaces if they aren't happening already and ensure that issues on ethics and accountability are threshed out before policies are rolled out," the group added.

The organization noted that while AI can help newsrooms become more efficient, its use raises concerns about job security when done in the "context of stagnant pay as well as layoffs and departures from the industry."

“There is no doubt that media workers need reskilling to adapt to changes in the industry and we hope that GMA News has plans for this alongside their announcement of their AI news presenters,” NUJP said. 

Enhance reporting

GMA Network executives had recognized these concerns, but emphasized that the use of AI technology will "complement, not replace, the human aspect of our coverage."

"We are now living in the age of AI and other major news organizations worldwide are already using this as a tool to improve their operations," GMA Network Senior Vice President and Head of Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso was quoted as saying in a GMA News report.

"As the leading news organization in the Philippines, we will constantly look for ways to hone our craft, while preserving the value of our human assets and the integrity of our reporting," Amoroso added.

The broadcast giant pointed out that AI technology is used in other countries like China, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Kuwait.

GMA-7's AI-generated sportscasters, a first in the country, are currently bringing news on local and international sports.

Named "Maia" and "Marco," the sportscasters were generated using image generation, text-to-speech AI voice generation, and deep-learning face animation technology. #