GMA Network’s trailblazing move to tap artificial intelligence (AI)-powered broadcasters drew more jeers than cheers on social media, with netizens seeing it more as a cost-cutting strategy.
Bilyonaryo Felipe Gozon’s television network commissioned the creation of AI bots named Maia and Marco to report in the latest season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association or the NCAA, which is airing on GMA Network’s sister channel, GTV.
GMA boasted that it is the first Philippine broadcast network to use AI broadcasters.
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
Netizens, however, saw the attempt as a way to drive down operating costs, as it’s cheaper to tap a tech firm to create a programmable AI broadcaster than hire an anchor who would be entitled to salaries and other benefits.
di pa ba sapat sa inyo na kayo na "number 1 na TV station sa buong bansa" na lagi niyong pinagmamayabang as if naman me kakumpetensya pa kayo? Bat kailangan ninyo mag cut-cost napaka-garapal naman ni Gozon
— Pensioned Former Full-time Hater (@ChaosUndrHeaven) September 24, 2023
Let me reiterate one more time:
Just because it's the "latest technology" does NOT mean it's the best or the most necessary technology.
GMA was doing hologram interviews back in 2010 because it was the "latest technology", even if you can't even see the interviewee clearly. https://t.co/DRtgf92ug2 pic.twitter.com/GGul3Dgp9S
— Detective Mask 名探偵マスク (@DetectiveMask) September 24, 2023
A huge turn off for GMA News. Why entertain an AI trend when you literally have aspiring young casters? Too much ‘integrated’ to cut down the cost, eh? https://t.co/3pmXBPtIjr
— Ḷιƚƚʅҽ Ṁσ | 🐦 (@mokyodai) September 25, 2023
'Yoko na sa Earth. They could have just gotten Masscom students from different universities to do it and to help them w/ their careers for the future. Nasaan ang puso, mga kapuso? 💔 https://t.co/XWmY6Seh0f
— Kimmy Sensei✨✏️ | Teacher Vtuber (@kimmy_sparkles) September 25, 2023
This early, some netizens predict that GMA’s adoption of AIQ broadcasters would be a flop.
'Yoko na sa Earth. They could have just gotten Masscom students from different universities to do it and to help them w/ their careers for the future. Nasaan ang puso, mga kapuso? 💔 https://t.co/XWmY6Seh0f
— Kimmy Sensei✨✏️ | Teacher Vtuber (@kimmy_sparkles) September 25, 2023
Yung emotion ng script doesn’t translate to the facial expression. 🥲 Doesn’t connect to the audience at all. https://t.co/uPzHq0rxRA
— Thirdy▫️LittleBigBoi (@thirdybaudin) September 25, 2023
Kung AI na ang mga host mo paano ka pa tatawa kundi na nagkakamali, nag eexcuse me po, dumadagsa ng tae at kung ano ano pa na nakaka-relate ka na tao lang din ang humaharap sayo na maaaring pagkatiwalaan dahil natutulog din at nagugutom tulad mo ang nagbabalita?
— michael fajatin (@michaelfajatin) September 24, 2023