DD Kisan, the Doordarshan channel dedicated to news and information sharing for the country’s farmers, will embrace the artificial intelligence (AI) wave as it prepares to bring two AI anchors to the channel. The move will make it the first government TV channel in India to feature artificial intelligence-powered digital human replicas to present news and information. AI anchors are introduced on the occasion of the completion of nine years since the foundation of DD Kisan. Namely, the channel was launched on May 26, 2015.
DD Kisan AI new anchors
According to a press release by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the two new AI anchors are named AI Krish and AI Bhoomi. The duo will make their first appearance on DD Kisan on Sunday as the channel celebrates its ninth anniversary. These presenters can speak fifty Indian and foreign languages, according to the ministry.
The ministry introduced AI anchors as computers that can look and function like humans. It further adds that AI Krish and AI Bhoomi can read news 24 hours and 365 days without taking a break or getting tired. Namely, DD Kisan is a pan-Indian channel that is broadcast in different states of the country in their regional language.
The channel shares news and information about the latest agricultural research at the national and global levels, trends in agriculture mandated, weather changes and information related to government programs. Some of the popular shows on the channel include Krishi Darshan, Mandi Khabar, Mausam Khabar and Chaupal Charcha.
What are AI anchors?
AI anchors are essentially computer-generated digital avatars that resemble humans. These avatars are powered by various AI technologies that enable them to generate text-to-speech as well as synchronize lip, eye, head and hand movements with spoken words.
Rise of AI Anchors in India
India witnessed its first AI anchor in early 2023 when India Today Group introduced Sana for its Aaj Tak channel. After its debut, Orissa-based OTV introduced AI-powered news anchor Lisa. Power TV from Karnataka also launched AI host Soundarya last year. Later, India Today announced five more AI anchors for its regional language channels.
However, India is not among the first to introduce this technology. China became the first country to introduce AI news anchors in 2018 when Xinhua News Agency launched two AI Synthetic Anchors.
