In Venezuela, the use of AI news anchors isn’t about phasing out human journalists, but rather, about keeping them safe. The political climate in Venezuela is highly unstable, with journalists often facing threats, intimidation, or even violence for their reporting. This results in self-censorship, as journalists can’t safely report on certain sensitive issues.
By using AI news anchors, news outlets can report on these sensitive topics without putting human journalists at risk. The AI, created using natural language processing and other advanced technologies, can deliver the news impartially, without fear of reprisal. So, while AI may be delivering the news, the investigative work, fact-checking, and story writing is still done by human journalists, meaning their role remains crucial.
It’s another example of how AI can be used to overcome human challenges. However, it also raises questions about the freedom of press and the lengths to which journalists have to go to stay safe, particularly in countries where press freedom is heavily curtailed.