• by Sara Guaglione , February 7, 2020

Reuters and AI-focused synthetic media company Synthesia have developed a prototype for what they are calling “the world’s first automated presenter-led video sports report.”

The program combines pre-recorded video footage of a human presenter with AI technology to create a “virtual” presenter.

The host can be programmed to deliver sports recaps using Reuters photography and reporting. There is no need for human scripting, editing or production.

The prototype builds on Reuters' existing sports match video offering, which uses an algorithm to combine real-time photography from Premier League soccer with data feeds of game events. 

Reuters also uses this data and AI technology to automatically create a script summarizing a game and produce captioned videos.

Now, Reuters can combine this system with Synthesia’s platform to create videos of a human presenter reading those game reports, Nick Cohen, Reuters head of core news products, told Forbes.

Reuters and Synthesia say the prototype is “intended purely as a proof of concept.” It shows “the potential for future real-time news and information services presented using these new kinds of AI-based presentation systems,” according to the companies.

Victor Riparbelli, CEO-cofounder of Synthesia, stated he believes “AI-generated content will be a cornerstone of the media landscape in the coming decade."