These 3 TV Anchors May Look Human, but They're Not

By Ryan Gandolfo

There’s no denying China’s push to become a world leader in all things tech-related. Whether its artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), or robotics, the PRC is gung ho on leading the charge.

Last year, Xinhua, in collaboration with Sougou, unveiled an AI anchor capable of performing TV hosting duties much the same as its human counterpart. One limitation, however, was the bot’s stiff body posture and mobility. 

On February 19, an updated AI TV host, nicknamed Xin Xiaohao, was revealed in Beijing. According to Xinhua, the latest upgrade comes after a technological breakthrough in optimizing the voice and graphics of the anchor, which is modeled after Xinhua’s male news anchor Qiu Hao.

The man behind the AI. Image via Lady Face 

The artificial anchor will reportedly team up with a female AI anchor, named Xin Xiaomeng, to begin reporting news on the eve of Liang Hui, the National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Consultative Conference, which will convene at the beginning of March.

Check out AI TV anchors below:

https://v.qq.com/txp/iframe/player.html?width=500&height=375&auto=0&vid=a0839wt938u

In related news: Jiang Caicai, a robot built by EX Technologies, has become an overnight celebrity after being featured as an assistant anchor on Zhizao Jianglai (智造将来, or ‘AI Future’ in English), a popular science show in China, according to CGTN.

Niu Shouhai, a product manager from EX Technologies, is quoted in an article by a Liaoning news outlet as stating, “The core good of our company is producing intelligent human-like service robots.” Another manager, Wu Xingliang, also revealed that a domestic airline is interested in purchasing a large number of their robots, which can provide support for a variety of different roles, including medical care, business and education.

The company’s annual robot production is predicted to reach up to 2,000 bots.  

READ MORE: China's Virtual AI TV Anchor Vows to 'Work Tirelessly' 

[Cover image via QQ, @CGTNOfficial/Twitter]

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