BBC is set to embrace the AI revolution with open arms. Last week, it announced a new BBC 4.1 AI TV. This aims to bring “two nights of experimental programming” featuring the new and classic programmes that explore AI. The programme will launch on BBC four on two nights: 4-5 September with Dr. Hannah Fry as the presenter. It will also feature a “virtual co-presenter”.
‘BBC 4.1 AI TV’ will feature ‘Made by Machine: When AI met The Archive’, an experimental programme partly made by artificial intelligence, trained to show information dating back to 1953 from well over 250,000 TV programmes. This approach manually would have been impractical as it would take hundreds of hours. But, with the help of latest AI technology from BBC Research & Development, it provided BBC four with a more manageable selection of shows.
“The AI learnt what BBC Four audiences might like, based on the channel’s previous schedules and programme attributes, and then ranked programmes it thought were most relevant,” says BBC. It will be broadcasting a selection of programmes that haven’t been seen in years.
The programme on BBC 4.1 AI TV features four sections of archive clips edited together that follows the sequence as mentioned below:
In the first segment, the AI learns to detect different attributes of the scene such as what a scene consists of, the type of landscape, the objects present, whether people are featured and people’s apparel. This helps the people learn about how a compilation is created with each scene following up from the last.
For the second segment, the subtitles or archive programmes are scanned to put together a footage by looking for links between words, topics and themes.
The third segment consists of AI analyzing the activity levels on screen ( whether they are high or not ). It then attempts to create a compilation that moves back and forth between high energy and low energy scenes. The fourth sequence combines all its learned to create an altogether new piece of content.
According to Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four, “ In collaboration with the BBC’s world-beating R&D department, AI TV will explore — and demonstrate just how AI and machine learning might inform and influence programme-making and scheduling, while also resurfacing some gems from the BBC Four archive along the way”.
Also, “Helping BBC Four scour BBC’s vast archives more efficiently is exactly why we’re developing this kind of AI — and has massive benefits for BBC programme makers and audiences — Made By Machine: When AI Met The Archive gives people an unprecedented look under the hood” says George Wright, Head of Internet Research and Future Services, BBC R&D.
For more coverage on this news, check out the official BBC announcement.
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