The guiding principle for educational television in Latin America in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) is one of understanding rather than resistance. As they gradually adapt to AI amidst both fascination and uncertainty, representatives of the Association of Educational and Cultural Televisions of Ibero-America (ATEI), which includes over 90 channels, universities, and public and private entities, convened in Mexico to share projects developed with AI, such as a virtual presenter, and to discuss their views on this technology.
“Like all new things, it generates resistance. Most of this resistance stems from a complete lack of understanding and appropriate use,” said Gabriel Torres, president of ATEI, during the event held last weekend in the tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco, west).
| Photo: Getty Images
Also overseeing the radio, television, and film system at the public University of Guadalajara (UDG), Torres emphasizes that they have been actively employing these tools for over a year. One of their most ambitious initiatives was the development of CLARA, which stands for “Logical Conductor of Assistance and Automatic Response,” a virtual presenter launched in 2023 along with a guide for its ethical use among more than 330,000 UDG students.
Torres notes that CLARA “did not eliminate anyone’s job” and instead required hiring new professionals for its team: a programmer and a 3D designer. “We use machine learning” [aprendizaje automático] to train her to speak and gesture, so that she can communicate in the Spanish spoken by people from Jalisco,” he adds, referring to the state where the university is located.
People First
Carlos Eduardo Gutiérrez Medrano, head of cinematography at the UDG system, believes that the ultimate impact of AI on the media remains uncertain, making it essential for specialists to be “prepared for when this fog clears.”
“The risk does not lie in the technology itself but rather in the ignorance surrounding it,” adds Gutiérrez, who has studied data science and programming languages to enhance his profession and contributed to the creation of CLARA. The challenges and continuous updating of knowledge required by AI also impact newsrooms.
Iván Porras, director of Quince UCR, a television station at the University of Costa Rica, believes that communicators should harness AI to enhance their creative, investigative, and journalistic efforts. He refers to this goal as the “humanization” of AI.
Colombia must work on preparing its workforce for when all the AI developments arrive in force. | Photo: Editorial Planeta / Author’s archive
“People’s jobs come before artificial intelligence,” emphasizes the executive, who believes it is wise to maintain a “distance” from certain tools until a “grounded dialogue on the matter” is established. He specifically refers to generative artificial intelligence, which poses a threat to replace various industry professionals, from small radio announcers to Hollywood screenwriters.
Earlier this year, researchers at NewsGuard, a U.S. group that monitors disinformation, cautioned against three “extremely concerning” new ways AI could exacerbate the dissemination of fake news.
Threats
One such threat arises from new AI-powered video, audio, and image-generating software (deep fakes), whose use has been accelerated by the ongoing conflicts in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine.
In addition, there is a proliferation of content farms resembling news sites, capable of producing fraudulent publications with minimal human oversight; as well as “plagiarism bots” that reformat articles from legitimate sources, mixing them to the point of becoming unrecognizable and publishing them in real time.
| Photo: Getty Images
Germán Ortegón, an academic at the private Universidad Javeriana in Colombia and director of the news platform Directo Bogotá, warns, “The dangerous thing is that there are people who don’t distinguish between what is created digitally and what is made by humans.” According to Ortegón, only competent communicators can provide authenticity to the content without abandoning the core principles of journalism. “We will not be able to replace life on the screen; we must return to the streets and do what we have always done: report.”
Understanding the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Latin American Educational Television
technology, fostering collaboration in content creation while managing the challenges of misinformation and job displacement."/>
technology adaptation"/>
Understanding rather than resisting is the guiding motto that shapes educational television across Latin America as it gradually adapts to the complexities of artificial intelligence (AI). Amidst both fascination and uncertainty, representatives from the Association of Educational and Cultural Televisions of Ibero-America (ATEI), which encompasses over 90 channels, universities, and both public and private entities, convened in Mexico to share projects developed with AI technology. These include innovations like virtual presenters and insights into the numerous challenges and opportunities posed by AI.
The Resistance to Change
“Like all new things, it generates resistance. Most of this resistance is derived from a complete lack of understanding and correct use,” stated Gabriel Torres, president of ATEI, during the recent event at the picturesque tourist resort of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco. He emphasized that the exploratory journey into AI is essential for modernization but requires careful navigation to mitigate fears surrounding job displacement and ethical challenges.
Case Study: CLARA – The Virtual Presenter
Torres, also overseeing the radio, television, and film system at the public University of Guadalajara (UDG), shared their proactive approach to AI usage. One of UDG’s innovative strides was the development of CLARA (Logical Conductor of Assistance and Automatic Response), a virtual presenter introduced in 2023. Alongside the launch, a comprehensive guide for ethical AI use was distributed to the university’s 330,000 students.
“CLARA did not take away anyone’s job,” said Torres, emphasizing the need for new team roles such as programmers and 3D designers. “We use machine learning to teach her to speak and gesture in a way that resonates with our local dialect,” he continued, referring to the specifics of Jalisco’s culture.
Preparing for the Future: Insights from Industry Experts
For Carlos Eduardo Gutiérrez Medrano, heading cinematography at the UDG, the eventual influence of AI on media remains ambiguous. He insists that specialists must be “prepared for when this fog clears.” “The risk is not in the technology, but in the ignorance of it,” he added, underscoring the importance of education in AI literacy to harness its power without succumbing to fear.
Iván Porras, director at Quince UCR, the University of Costa Rica’s television station, reinforces the role of communicators in using AI as a tool to enhance their creative and journalistic efforts. He champions the concept of “humanizing” AI, demonstrating how technology can augment human creativity rather than replace it.
Addressing the Challenges of AI
Despite the potential benefits, the rapid advancement of AI brings its own set of challenges. Germán Ortegón, an academic at the Universidad Javeriana in Colombia, cautions that the influx of generative AI tools threatens the integrity of journalism. “The dangerous thing is that there are people who don’t recognize what is created digitally versus what is made by humans,” he noted, advocating for professional communicators to uphold the values of honest reporting.
Threat of Misinformation in the AI Era
The urgency of this concern was highlighted earlier this year by researchers at NewsGuard, a U.S. group focusing on disinformation. They issued warnings about three emerging threats posed by AI that can exacerbate the spread of misinformation:
- Deep Fakes: AI-generated videos, audio, and images can easily mislead the public, a problem aggravated by global conflicts.
- Content Farms: Automated news sites create deceptive articles with little to no editorial oversight, compromising journalistic integrity.
- Plagiarism Bots: These tools mash up legitimate content into new forms without proper attribution, often leading to a loss of credibility.
Building an Ethical Framework for AI in Journalism
In light of these threats, establishing a clear ethical framework for using AI in journalism is essential. Torres mentions the growing need for communicators to integrate learning about AI and data science into their skill set, preparing them for future challenges.
Practical Tips for Educators and Media Professionals
To ensure a productive relationship with AI technology, media professionals and educators can:
- Stay Informed: Continually update knowledge about AI to understand its capabilities and limitations.
- Engage in Ethical Discussions: Foster conversations across teams about the ethical implications of AI use, ensuring responsible practices.
- Collaborate: Work with tech experts to develop relevant projects, like virtual presenters and AI-driven media tools, while ensuring human oversight.
- Encourage Transparency: Uphold transparency in content creation, allowing audiences to discern authentic content.
First-Hand Experiences with AI Implementation
Feedback from students and faculty post-implementation of AI tools like CLARA illustrates the shift in perception regarding AI’s role in education and media. Many appreciate AI for enhancing engagement and providing personalized educational experiences, while some express concerns regarding job security.
Conclusion
As AI continues gaining momentum within the realm of educational television in Latin America, embracing a culture of understanding over resistance is crucial. While challenges persist, the collaborative development of AI-powered tools like CLARA showcases the potential for AI to complement human creativity, fundamentally transforming the way content is created and consumed.
