Automated News Broadcast
January 25th, 2007 | Published in Campaigns
News at Seven is a service that automatically generates a virtual newscast pulled from stories, images, videos and blogs from the web, all linked by a common news topic. In other words, it’s RSS-enabled news and blog articles read to you by a computer-generated news anchor.
While I myself am not so fascinated by how it works in practice, it’s an interesting experiment, which could actually work, when the voice generation gets better and the anchor stops studdering. If we see more “full-service” web TV channels start in the future, for them this would be a cost-effective way of creating newscasts. Also, not directly connected to this, but the thought comes to my mind: 81 journalists were killed around the world last year (the deadliest year since 1994, according to Reporters Without Borders) – perhaps in the future their lives can be saved by sending robots to war zones and other dangerous areas? Though best would be, of course, to enhance press freedom. 
Karri Ojanen
About the author
I’m an interaction designer, information architect, strategist and creative lead, multi-skilled and versed in creative, strategy and technology. I’m also known as an electronic musician who has traveled the world from Tampere to Tokyo. I earned my experience as art director, concept designer and creative director in Scandinavia, praised for its award-hoarding digital agencies, then went on to work in the Middle East, the United States, and Canada. Currently, I work as Interaction Design Director at R/GA as well as a freelance interaction designer and information architect. My work has been awarded with national and international awards.
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