Presenter of Will AI Take My Job? doc was AI-generated, Channel 4 reveals

UK public broadcaster Channel 4 has revealed that the presenter of a recently aired documentary about the threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI) was in fact not a real person but created by AI.

AI presenter

The broadcaster said the move was part of a deliberate on-screen stunt to show just how convincing AI has become and to highlight the speed at which the technology is developing.

Part of Channel 4’s Dispatches strand, Will AI Take My Job? (1×60’) investigated how AI automation is reshaping the workplace, by pitting humans against machines in a series of real-world tests across medicine, law, fashion and music.

In a twist saved for the end of the film, it was revealed the programme’s own presenter, who appeared throughout reporting from different locations, was entirely AI-generated, produced by AI fashion brand Seraphinne Vallora for the doc’s production company, Kalel Productions.

Channel 4 today said it has clear editorial guidelines governing the ethical use of AI and that the film complies fully with these, including a commitment to transparency and disclosure to audiences when AI is used.

Louisa Compton, head of news and current affairs, specialist factual and sport at Channel 4, said: “The use of an AI presenter is not something we will be making a habit of at Channel 4 – instead our focus in news and current affairs is on premium, fact-checked, duly impartial and trusted journalism – something AI is not capable of doing.

“But this stunt does serve as a useful reminder of just how disruptive AI has the potential to be – and how easy it is to hoodwink audiences with content they have no way of verifying.”

Nick Parnes, CEO of Kalel Productions, said the benefits of using an AI host over a human one are increasing day by day. “Ironically, it gets even more economical to go with an AI presenter over human, weekly. And as the generative AI tech keeps bettering itself, the presenter gets more and more convincing, daily. That’s good for our film, but maybe not so good for people’s careers.”