China’s latest tech export: an Arabic-speaking, AI-powered news anchor from Sogou

Deal marks first time Sogou’s AI news anchor technology is being adopted by an international media organisation

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Sogou, operator of China’s second largest online search engine, initially showed its technology for an artificial intelligence-based news anchor in a collaboration with the state-owned Xinhua News Agency last year. Photo: Agence France-Presse

Published: 7:00am, 30 Apr 2019Updated: 7:00am, 30 Apr 2019

Sogou, operator of China’s second largest online search engine, will develop the world’s first Arabic-speaking, artificial intelligence-based news presenter under a deal with the state-owned broadcaster in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as demand for Chinese hi-tech expertise grows in the countries covered by Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The lifelike AI virtual anchor will help Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) provide news broadcasts more efficiently, in a range of engaging formats and potentially, on a round-the-clock basis every day, according to a statement by Sogou on Sunday after signing the agreement with the broadcaster.

“The use of artificial intelligence and technological tools in the media sector will result in a qualitative leap forward within the media landscape in the UAE and the wider region,” said Omar Sultan Al Olama, the country’s minister of AI, in the statement.

He said use of such advanced technology will not only enrich media content, but also provide “opportunities for young professionals to build new skill sets suited to future media channels”.

Wang Yanfeng, general manager of Sogou's Voice Interaction Technology Centre (left), United Arab Emirates minister of artificial intelligence Omar Sultan Al Olama (centre) and Ali Bin Tamim, director general of Abu Dhabi Media, at the signing ceremony at ADM’s headquarters. Photo: Handout

The deal between Sogou and ADM comes several months after the New York-listed search engine operator and the state-owned Xinhua News Agency introduced in November last year so-called “composite anchors”, which combine the images and voices of human anchors with AI technology.

Those AI anchors are available throughout Xinhua’s internet and mobile platforms, such as its official Chinese and English apps, WeChat public account and online television webpage.