The BBC’s director of nations, Rhodri Talfan Davies, has detailed some of the initial projects where the broadcaster is trialling the use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI).
In October, the BBC revealed its approach to working with Gen AI technology and outlined three principles:
- always act in the best interests of the public
- always prioritise talent and creativity
- always be open and transparent with audiences when using AI to support content-making
The BBC has now chosen 12 projects which it hopes will help it explore different areas where Gen AI could bring significant benefits for audiences and staff.
They include:
Reformatting existing content in a way that widens its appeal. For example, taking a live sport radio commentary and changing it rapidly to text for BBC Sport’s live pages.
Explore how Gen AI can help teams find content within its programmes through things like better labelling – which will help them create new forms of content more quickly – e.g. A clip or collection of certain moments within a programme/programmes.
Look at how the BBC could equip its journalists with Gen AI tools that help them work more quickly. For example, a ‘headline helper’ – which could give journalists options of headlines to choose from, or the ability to summarise an article.
A new BBC Assistant that could use chatbots to provide interactive and tailored learning on BBC Bitesize.
“Our principles commit to harnessing the new technology to support our public mission, to prioritising talent and creativity, and being open and transparent with our audiences whenever and wherever we deploy Gen AI,” wrote Talfan Davies.
“There’s lots going on and we’ll be providing updates on this activity as it progresses.”
