A public outcry against artificial intelligence (AI) is now being seen in the Philippines following GMA Network's controversial unveiling of two AI sportscasters.
Maia and Marco, the latest members of GMA's AI lineup, are the nation's first AI-generated sportscasters. However, Filipino journalists are now making their sentiments heard against AI reporters set to bring information about local sports.
Despite the focus on technological advancement, the public outcry now stands up against the media company and its decision to appoint these AI avatars.
Filipino Journalists Say No to AI: GMA's Maia and Marco
According to the Philippine Star, humans in the sports and media industry have voiced their sentiments against GMA Network's Maia and Marco, with many stating their dissent for the tech.
Veteran sports broadcaster Anthony Suntay expressed his opposition to generative AI in the Philippine media, saying he is "not in favor of it." He added that AI "cannot replicate" the "love and passion for the game."
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Noli Eala publicly stated his views on X regarding AI. Despite being open to progress, he said "NAY" to AI and still wants to stick with traditions.
Maia and Marco debuted on Sunday during the halftime between the Letran Knights and JRU Heavy Bombers in the opening ceremony of NCAA Season 99.
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AI-Generated Avatar for Filipino Sports
Filipinos are best known for their relentless love for sports, particularly basketball, and seeing the AI avatars head the reporting on national TV was bound to get attention.
Other professionals in Filipino sports also shared their denouncement of GMA Network's AI sportscasters. Eala claimed that he still prefers these reports to be "personal and intimate," with some getting alarmed by Maia and Marco's introduction.
Generative AI and its Oppositions
GMA Network took the initiative to bring technology and advancement to the Southeast Asian country as it introduced the company's combined effort to bring innovation to the Philippine media on Friday.
This is through the introduction of Maia and Marco, two seemingly ordinary individuals but only born from generative AI. They will soon undertake local sports reporting for the channel's broadcast.
While generative AI is best known to never falter in the face of a camera, amid a raging crowd, and free of emotions or bias, there are still oppositions to it in the world. One of the many complaints against generative AI is its alleged biased in creating content, centering on factors like race, religion, career, and gender.
While the GMA Network would be focusing on video production powered by AI, with its content still seeing human direction, it is not welcome in the industry and has gained mixed reactions from the public.
It is unknown which steps will the GMA Network take moving forward with its generative AI programming, but human sports personnel cry foul against the technology.
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