Dispatches becomes first UK programme to use AI presenter

Channel 4 current affairs strand Dispatches has become the first UK TV programme to use an AI presenter in documentary Will AI Take My Job?

The hour-long single from Kalel Productions investigates how AI is reshaping the workplace and pits four human professionals against machines in a series of tests across medicine, law, fashion and music. However, in a twist near the end of the doc which aired at 8pm tonight (20 October), it’s revealed that presenter ‘Aisha Gaban’, who appears throughout the doc reporting from different locations, was entirely AI-generated.

The stunt is intended to show how convincing AI has become, highlight the broader public interest question it raises about trust and authenticity in the digital age, as well as highlighting the speed at which the technology is developing. The film also reveals that nearly 75% of UK employers have introduced the tech into tasks that used to be done by humans.

The AI anchor was produced by AI fashion brand Seraphinne Vallora for Kalel, using prompts to create a realistic digital human capable of delivering nuanced on-camera performances.

Channel 4 has clear editorial guidelines governing the ethical use of artificial intelligence. The film is in full compliance with C4’s editorial guidelines governing the ethical use of AI, including a commitment to transparency and disclosure to audiences when it is used.

The doc was commissioned by Louisa Compton, head of news and current affairs, specialist factual and sport, and Adam Vandermark, commissioning editor.

Compton 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, chief exec of Kalel Productions, added it has been “nail-biting” creating the AI presenter in time for the film.

He continued: “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.”