The Philippines’ GMA Integrated News network seems to be pushing the boundaries of modern journalism thanks to their first-ever AI-generated sportscasters. The company first announced the move on September 23 and implemented it in real time the next day. The decision has raised a lot of concerns within the media industry. As a result, it led to intense debate on social media platforms over the implications of such technology on the future of journalism. Let’s take a look at why GMA 7 is facing backlash over its decision to use AI sportscasters.
Maia and Marco: GMA’s new AI sportscasters
GMA Integrated News collaborated with GMA New Media Inc. (NMI) and GMA Synergy to introduce the AI sportscasters to the public. Named Maia and Marco, the digital presenters made their debut at the opening of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 99 on September 24, 2023.
Meet Maia and Marco — the Philippines’ first AI Sportscasters!
Now that #NCAASeason99 has started, they are here to help our courtside reporters by giving updates in sports!
Follow GMA Integrated News, @GMASportsPH , and GMA Synergy on social media for their exclusive reports. pic.twitter.com/CPMFEyyNVJ
— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) September 24, 2023
Maia and Marco were created using a combination of techniques like image generation, text-to-speech voice synthesis/generation, and deep-learning face animation. These AI sportscasters are bilingual and fluent in both English and Tagalog.
They even have features that make them appear like local celebrities. Regardless, the decision to replace humans with these artificial intelligence-generated sportscasters is a significant move in the realm of contemporary journalism.
Criticism against AI sportscasters from media students
Technological change is inevitable in any field, but GMA replacing human presenters with AI-generated sportscasters has sparked a wave of criticism, mainly from media students and educators. Such a disruptive move would affect job prospects for future journalists.
Experts argue that AI sportscasters lack the emotional depth and passion that human reporters bring to the field. Particularly when it comes to sports coverage, AI reporters simply cannot match the human drama around the ups and downs of sporting events.
Media professionals and students have called this move as discouraging for those pursuing careers in mass communication. In particular, mass communication students have been vocal about their sentiment against GMA’s AI sportscasters.
TV personalities like KC Montero joked, “There goes my job!” in response to this move. It’s safe to say Maia and Marco have already left a mark on social media.
GMA’s response to the situation
The working heads at GMA 7 had to clarify why their move to use AI-generated sportscasters was necessary. GMA’s Executive, Oliver Victor Amoroso, said that the initiative is a way to promote inclusivity and to demonstrate innovation in journalism.
"Maia and Marco are AI presenters, not journalists; they can't replace our seasoned broadcasters and colleagues who are the heart of our organization." Oliver Victor B. Amoroso, GMA Network's Senior Vice President and Head of Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy, emphasized…
— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) September 24, 2023
He also emphasized that the AI sportscasters are intended to complement, not replace, human reporters in their organization. Ramil Escarda, Head of Creatives at GMA New Media Inc., echoed this sentiment, stating that they are simply tools to enhance storytelling.
Other examples of AI in journalism
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the media landscape has experimented with AI in journalism. In 2018, China’s Xinhua News Agency introduced the world’s first AI news anchor. South Korea’s MBN followed suit in November 2020 with an AI announcer.
In India, channels like Aaj Tak News, Odisha TV, and Power TV have also utilized AI-powered presenters. Now that GMA 7 has followed in their footsteps with AI-generated sportscasters, the debate will rage on about the role of humans in journalism.
You can share questions about GMA 7’s AI sportscasters. For more content, stay with us here at Spiel Times. Make sure you subscribe to our push notifications and never miss an update. You can also follow us on Spiel Anime, Spiel Cricket, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Until next time!
