As a journalist who has spent years navigating the treacherous waters of censorship and government repression, I find the innovation by Connectas truly inspiring. In my own career, I’ve faced threats, beatings, and intimidation just for reporting the truth. So, to see a news agency using AI avatars to protect their journalists is nothing short of revolutionary.
In response to the government crackdown following elections in Venezuela, the news service Connectas has opted for AI-produced newscasts as a means of safeguarding their journalists
Following a contentious election in July, Connectas claims that the AI-generated characters appearing in news broadcasts on YouTube and other digital media are not authentic, although the news content itself remains legitimate. These AI avatars are employed as a means to bypass government censorship and oppression, ensuring the continued flow of news reports
According to the news outlet’s statement on their website, Operation Retuit (or Operation Retweet) was implemented using artificial intelligence not just because it’s trendy, but as a means to safeguard journalists from the suppression that occurred following the election
The technology-driven newscasts feature a young man named “El Pana,” or friends in Venezuelan slang, and a young woman called “La Chama,” or the girl in translation. The duo stand-in for news anchors with the production realism of video game characters.
Connectas stated that the AI-produced news broadcasts strive to share “up-to-date and authentic news from around a dozen Venezuelan and foreign news sources.”
As per Reporters Without Borders, the administration led by Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela maintains a “limiting” approach towards managing news media. Moreover, it’s been observed that journalists frequently face physical violence or threats while performing their duties during elections or periods of political unrest
Critics of the Venezuelan government led by President Maduro worry that his ongoing reliance on the military and manipulation of news outlets could lead to increased danger for journalists due to continued suppression
News channels are embracing artificial intelligence in various locations, such as Channel 1 News based in Los Angeles, spearheaded by Scott Zabielski, a former Tosh.0 team member, and Adam Mosam, an entrepreneur. They have disclosed their intentions to leverage generative AI technology to craft individualized news broadcasts
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2024-09-04 20:13