Welt TV, owned by Axel Springer, has launched its first AI-generated news programme. The five-minute bulletin, focused on developments in artificial intelligence, is hosted by a synthetic avatar modelled on a real-life reporter, Paul Klinzing. Most of the show’s script and editorial decisions are machine-generated.
The avatar opens with a declaration: “I’m not real, but an avatar – however, the news I show you is absolutely real.” It mimics human gestures, facial expressions and speech patterns with impressive fluency, though occasional awkward pauses and odd visual details, such as a remote control in hand and no lapel microphone, underscore its artificiality.
Around 90% of the programme is produced using AI, including topic selection and scriptwriting. Stories cover well-trodden ground: robotics in China, European AI regulation and the US-China tech rivalry. Some footage and interviews are real, but the blend of synthetic and authentic content is not clearly marked, which is naturally provoking questions about transparency.
The show’s editorial quality drew criticism for being too smooth and lacking the depth or originality typically delivered by human presenters. The lack of journalistic judgment – what to include, what to emphasise, how to phrase it – was particularly noticeable, according to German media observers.
Public and private broadcasters have taken a more cautious stance. NDR said AI should support, not replace, journalism and stressed the importance of human oversight. ProSieben and RTL use AI for limited tasks such as research, translation and image editing, but insist journalists make the final calls.
Welt TV’s editor-in-chief Jan Philipp Burgard said AI is a technological revolution that newsrooms must embrace. His comments reflect Axel Springer’s broader strategy to double its value within five years through AI adoption and new business models. The company has also rolled out tools like WELTgo!, a GPT-based assistant that helps subscribers navigate content, and is using AI to repurpose older broadcasts for new platforms.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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