A virtual news presenter created through artificial intelligence (AI) has been introduced by a Kuwaiti media outlet, as reported by Kuwait News, a subsidiary of Kuwait Times.
The AI-generated presenter, named Fedha, is represented by an image of a woman wearing a black jacket and white T-shirt, with light-coloured hair.
‘Fedha’ made her debut on Kuwait News’ Twitter account, which is an affiliate of the Kuwait Times.
The deputy editor-in-chief for Kuwait News, Abdullah Boftain, explained that the introduction of Fedha aimed to explore AI’s potential to offer fresh and innovative content.
Fedha, whose name is inspired by the metal silver, a popular commodity in Kuwait, may eventually develop a Kuwaiti accent and present online news bulletins.
The presenter’s blonde hair and light-coloured eyes reflect the country’s diverse population of Kuwaitis and expatriates, according to Boftain.
Kuwait is not the first country to introduce an AI news presenter. In 2018, China’s state news agency unveiled its own virtual newsreader sporting a sharp suit and a somewhat robotic voice.
Goldman Sachs recently published a report suggesting that AI could substitute the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs, replace a quarter of work tasks in the US and Europe, and bring about new employment opportunities and increased productivity.
