Odisha unveils AI news anchor ‘Lisa’ to present news in Odia and English

New Delhi: Odisha TV (OTV), a private news channel based in Odisha, has introduced an AI-generated news anchor named ‘Lisa.’ The virtual news presenter, dressed in a traditional Odisha handloom saree, will deliver news content in both Odia and English languages across OTV Network’s television and digital platforms, according to a company statement. 

Lisa is the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) news anchor in Odia television journalism, marking a significant milestone for the industry in the region. While Lisa has the ability to speak multiple languages, her current focus will be on delivering news in Odia and English for OTV’s audience. The company aims to enhance Lisa’s proficiency in Odia through ongoing efforts. Lisa can be found and followed on popular social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.

Meet Lisa, OTV and Odisha’s first AI news anchor set to revolutionize TV Broadcasting & Journalism#AIAnchorLisa #Lisa #Odisha #OTVNews #OTVAnchorLisa pic.twitter.com/NDm9ZAz8YW

— OTV (@otvnews) July 9, 2023

Litisha Mangat Panda, the Digital Business Head at OTV, acknowledged the challenges faced during Lisa’s training in Odia and expressed optimism about further developments. The team is working towards enabling Lisa to engage more naturally with others and enhance her communication skills.

This move follows the debut of ‘Fedha,’ an AI-generated news presenter, by Kuwait media outlet Kuwait News in April. Fedha, portrayed as a woman with uncovered light-colored hair, donning a black jacket and white T-shirt, made her appearance on Kuwait News’ Twitter account. Kuwait News is affiliated with Kuwait Times, the first English-language daily in the Gulf region, established in 1961.

The introduction of Lisa by OTV showcases the ongoing evolution of AI in journalism, with virtual news anchors gradually becoming a part of news dissemination. The integration of AI-generated presenters aims to enhance efficiency and explore new possibilities in news delivery, catering to evolving audience preferences.

As AI continues to advance, it remains to be seen how this technology will shape the future of news presentation and its impact on journalism as a whole.