LIHUE (HawaiiNewsNow) - After less than 3 months, Hawaii’s first and only artificial intelligence newscast has been terminated.
AI avatars James and Kai presented stories twice a week for the Garden Island Newspaper on YouTube.
But after 20 episodes, with some getting fewer than 40 views, Oahu Publications has ended the endeavor.
When the newscast first came to light, many were skeptical about the legitimacy of the reporting.
Tech experts said AI-generated newscasts may become more widespread as AI technology improves.
In a previous interview with HNN, Aaron Kotarek, Oahu Publications’ senior vice president of audience and operations said, “AI is here, and you can either embrace it or you can be scared of it... Frankly, I’m a little of both, but we’re experimenting. We’re learning.”
The publisher partnered with an Israeli company that aimed to bring AI newscasts nationwide.
HNN reached out to both companies for comment but neither have responded.
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