The future of news? Israeli anchors launch AI-powered TikTok broadcast

01/08/2023

ACT News, a TikTok-based news broadcast, is claiming to be the world’s first fully AI-powered news network. Led by Israeli journalist Miri Michaeli, the broadcast features avatars of Israeli news anchors who provide news analysis in multiple languages. While the avatars have AI-generated voices that sound different from their real-life counterparts, the videos can be mistaken for real recordings. The initiative has garnered attention and concern about accuracy, transparency, and ethics in journalism.

The creators of ACT News claim that the AI-generated texts and avatars are approved by the real anchors before broadcast, ensuring accuracy and credibility. The network plans to offer news clips in at least eight languages. Initially focused on Israeli advocacy, it has now shifted to presenting “current affairs broadcasts” from around the world. While some see AI-powered technology as a way to free up reporters for investigative work, critics worry about the potential for misinformation, plagiarism, and the loss of reporting and writing jobs.