CNN — (CNN) — NBC is bringing a model of famed sportscaster Al Michaels again to the Olympics this summer time with an unlikely twist: His voice might be powered by synthetic intelligence.
NBC introduced on Wednesday it should use AI software program to recreate Michaels’ voice to ship every day recaps of the Summer time Video games for subscribers of its Peacock streaming platform, a milestone for using AI by a significant media firm.
The usage of an AI voice for the Olympics comes because the expertise has grown by leaps and bounds, notably in its potential to create photos, sound and textual content. That, in flip, has raised questions in inventive industries, corresponding to journalism, about how synthetic intelligence can – and even ought to – be used.
A brand new device, known as “Your Each day Olympic Recap on Peacock,” will allow 10-minute highlights packages, which may embody occasions updates, athlete again tales and different associated content material personalised by subscriber preferences.
The corporate stated the highlights may very well be packaged in about 7 million alternative ways, pulled from 5,000 hours of dwell protection in Paris, successfully making AI (the bogus intelligence, not the person) a considerably extra environment friendly technique to ship personalised recaps.
“Once I was approached about this, I used to be skeptical however clearly curious,” Michaels stated in a press launch. “Then I noticed an illustration detailing what they’d in thoughts. I stated, ‘I’m in.’”
Michaels, a long-time broadcaster, is at the moment the play-by-play sportscaster for Thursday Evening Soccer on Amazon Prime. He’s additionally identified for his work on earlier Olympics Video games broadcasts for each NBC and ABC and for calling the Miracle on Ice Recreation on the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. The corporate didn’t instantly reply to questions on how they’re compensating or partnering with Michaels on this product.
The corporate stated a staff of NBC Sports activities editors will overview the entire content material, together with audio and clips, to verify the whole lot is factually correct and names are pronounced appropriately.
The highlights device might be accessible on Peacock through net browsers and iOS and iPadOS apps beginning July 27.
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