(Manila, 13th) The Philippine Presidential Broadcasting Service (PBS-BBS) officially introduced artificial intelligence (AI) news anchors “Ivan” and “Aira” on Saturday during the radio program “AI Talks.” The launch coincides with the agency’s 78th anniversary and aligns with the Marcos administration’s policy to expand information dissemination and combat fake news.
PBS-BBS Director General Sanga stated that the AI anchors’ debut will help attract more listeners and ensure more effective delivery of government messages. He emphasized that “AI does not incorporate personal opinions, thus avoiding political bias.”
He said: “In fact, our team still writes the news content; AI is only responsible for presenting it. Because of its speed and novelty, it can enhance the appeal of our programs.” He added that, with creative presentations using AI, they expect to attract more people to listen to state platforms such as the “Philippine Broadcasting Station.”
In early August, Sanga signed a memorandum of understanding with the “Father of AI Voice” in the Philippines, Gonzales, to co-launch the program “AI Talks with The VoiceMaster.” This show now airs every Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 AM.
Gonzales described AI not as a threat, but as a tool to revolutionize news dissemination. He said: “This is the world’s first AI animated news anchor, demonstrating that the Philippines can be a leader, not just a follower.”
He called on Filipinos to bravely embrace change, use AI to purify the digital space from disinformation, and work together to create a future filled with hope and goodwill.