In a first for Maltese broadcasting, University of Malta AI expert Alexiei Dingli has appeared on air not in person, but through a hyper-realistic avatar.
TVM’s new series, “Artificial Intelligence in Our Lives,” features this digital presenter, marking a significant first for the island and sparking a vital conversation about our technological future.
For Professor Dingli, this project is a novel collaboration meant to explore the very frontiers of this new technology. “This is my first collaboration of this kind,” he tells WhosWho.mt.
"Our goal was to use AI to push boundaries and highlight the real-world implications of an AI avatar, particularly the challenge to human jobs and the potential for delivering personalised content to different viewers."
The programme, which airs at 11pm on Thursdays, is structured to be both informative and engaging. Each of the 12 themed episodes tackles a different facet of AI.
“The series covers everything from the origins of AI to its practical applications,” Professor Dingli explains. “We have dedicated episodes on its impact on health, transport, industry, arts, culture, security, and even personal relationships.”
The avatar is integrated into the show's structure, which includes an introduction, a live demonstration of AI in action, and finishes with an interview with a human AI expert.
Beyond the innovation, the series carries a crucial precautionary message in an era increasingly populated by deepfakes.
“People need to understand that they cannot trust everything they see online,” Professor Dingli emphasises, revealing the issue hits close to home.
“Even someone in my immediate family fell for a deepfake. They were convinced someone was stealing my identity! This programme has a strong precautionary element alongside its educational mission. We are also explaining complex AI concepts in Maltese to ensure we are informing the general public effectively.”
To ensure clarity, a disclaimer is displayed throughout the show, informing viewers that the presenter is an AI creation. The avatar itself is a sophisticated blend of technology and authenticity, designed using Dingli’s likeness and voice recordings to maintain a genuine Maltese cultural and linguistic presence.
While much of the script is AI-generated, a team of human editors meticulously ensures its accuracy for the discussions on applications in education, healthcare, and social relationships.
Professor Dingli envisions a future where AI presenters become a staple in broadcasting, offering consistent delivery without human limitations.
However, this vision is met with caution by some industry veterans.
Former TVM news anchor Keith Demicoli has pointed out that AI lacks the emotional intelligence and spontaneity of human presenters, a quality deemed essential, particularly when delivering sensitive news.
As AI technology continues its rapid evolution, Malta’s experiment with an AI television presenter is more than just a television first - it could be a significant step in exploring the potential and the pitfalls of AI in media and education.
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