A Channel 4 show has claimed to be the first British television programme to use an artificial intelligence (AI) presenter.
The newest episode of Channel 4’s Dispatches has put to test the theory that AI will replace jobs on a wide scale.
After airing on Monday night, Will AI Take My Job investigated how AI automation is changing workplaces across industries, including law, music, fashion and medicine.
At the end of the episode, it was then revealed that its own presenter, Aisha Gaban, was entirely AI-generated.
The AI presenter said: ‘AI is going to touch everybody’s lives in the next few years. And for some, it will take their jobs. Call centre workers? Customer service agents? Maybe even TV presenters like me. Because I’m not real. In a British TV first, I’m an AI presenter.
‘Some of you might have guessed: I don’t exist, I wasn’t on location reporting this story. My image and voice were generated using AI.’
Responding to the shocking twist, viewers were left ‘terrified’ on social media as they likened it to something out of a Black Mirror episode.
@MissHeikeTweets said: ‘That #Dispatches program about AI is rather scary. Something else humanity is walking into with their eyes firmly closed.’
@DavidGB07 also wrote ‘AI genuinely terrifies me #Dispatches.’
@Zaynnode added: ‘Wow… that’s kinda wild.’
@Mayce_Windu commented: ‘This is looking an episode of Black Mirror on Channel 4,’ while @MattOakleyMojo similarly said: ‘A twist! In #Dispatches! It’s like Black Mirror!’
Meanwhile, @garethreesradio said: ‘So in short 20% of the population are going to be out of a job within the next five years. AI is killing creativity and skilled jobs which people have taken years to master #Dispatches.’
Highlighting the growing accessibility of AI tools in the job market, the show revealed that nearly three quarters of UK bosses have already introduced AI into tasks once carried out by humans.
The stunt aimed to raise a wider question about trust and authenticity in the digital age. with the broadcaster adding that it will not be using AI presenters regularly.
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.’
The AI anchor was produced by AI fashion brand Seraphinne Vallora for Kalel Productions, using prompts to create a digital human capable of delivering on-camera performances.
This comes after Channel 4’s Dispatches, which covered the controversial Bonnie Blue documentary, issued a shock search for actors who can ‘vomit on command.’
The search came as part of a documentary about curing phobias, including helping with emetophobia — the fear of vomit.
Those who signed up were paid £50 per hour, according to The Sun, in an attempt to cure patients of their worst fears.
Stream Will AI Take My Job? Dispatches on Channel4.com
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