In a novel blend of technology and journalism, Venezuela is seeing its news delivered by virtual anchors. "El Pana," a digital news anchor dressed in flannel and chinos, and his counterpart "La Chama," are not real people but artificial intelligence creations brought to life by the Colombia-based organization Connectas. This initiative, dubbed "Operation Retweet," aims to provide independent news coverage amid a harsh government crackdown on journalists and protesters.
Connectas, led by director Carlos Huertas, developed these AI anchors to serve as the public face of the information being published. This strategy comes as Venezuelan journalists face increased risks, with at least 10 journalists arrested since mid-June, and eight remaining imprisoned on charges including terrorism, according to Reporters Without Borders.
Huertas explained the rationale behind using AI, stating, "We decided to use artificial intelligence to be the 'face' of the information we're publishing because our colleagues who are still out doing their jobs are facing much more risk." The project seeks to circumvent government repression and safeguard the identities of real reporters who continue to operate under dangerous conditions.
Recent arrests of journalists, along with a broader crackdown on opposition figures and protesters, have intensified in Venezuela. This crackdown is perceived by many as a government effort to suppress dissent following a contentious election on July 28. Both President Nicolás Maduro and the opposition claim victory in the election, but disputes over vote tallies and election conditions have fueled ongoing unrest.
The government's crackdown, which includes the detention of protesters and opposition figures under "Operation Knock Knock," has resulted in at least 27 deaths and 2,400 arrests. Human rights groups and the opposition argue that the government’s measures aim to silence dissent and suppress information about the election's disputed results.
Venezuela's communications ministry has not responded to inquiries about the AI journalism initiative. Similarly, officials have not commented on the recent journalist arrests. The Venezuelan government has labeled protesters as fascists and accused them of inciting hate, a claim that has been denied by the United States and other international observers.
The use of AI anchors like El Pana and La Chama underscores the innovative approaches being adopted to maintain journalistic integrity and information dissemination in increasingly repressive environments.
