The national public broadcaster KBS declared 2025 as the "first year of AI broadcasting" to mark the 52nd anniversary of its foundation on March 3 and will fully introduce a broadcasting production system utilizing artificial intelligence (AI).

KBS plans to actively utilize AI technology to enhance program creativity and organizational efficiency, expand services, and increase the value of license fees. Accordingly, it will promote the production of generative AI animation, test broadcasting with AI anchors, expand AI disaster detection systems, and establish AI broadcasting production guidelines. Previously, KBS selected "providing broadcasting and media services utilizing innovative technologies such as AI" as one of the top 10 key tasks in its <2025-2027 medium-term plan>.

▲ "First year of AI broadcasting"…Generative AI animation "Legend of the Village - Gumiho" to be aired

KBS will air the generative AI animation "Legend of the Village - Gumiho" on Children's Day, May 5. This marks the revival of the traditional horror folklore series "Legend of the Village," which KBS aired, utilizing generative AI after 19 years. In particular, the Gumiho story has been beloved as the most famous episode in the "Legend of the Village" series.

"Legend of the Village - Gumiho" applied various AI technologies in character design, animation generation, and voice synthesis, reducing production time and expense while showcasing a visually distinct appeal from existing animations. KBS started airing teasers on March 3, marking its foundation day, ahead of the main broadcast.

▲ Application of AI technology, expanding disaster detection and broadcast capabilities as the "designated disaster broadcasting station"

KBS plans to actively utilize AI in disaster broadcasting to deliver the quickest and most vivid disaster updates to viewers, fulfilling its role as a designated disaster broadcasting station.

Since 2023, KBS has been building a system that automatically detects disaster situations through over 12,000 CCTV cameras nationwide in the event of earthquakes and flooding for use in disaster broadcasting. This year, it will expand the system to automatically detect fire situations such as wildfires using AI. Once the project is completed this year, it is expected to greatly assist in disaster response by instantly delivering CCTV footage of major disaster situations, including earthquakes, floods, typhoons, and wildfires, to the entire nation.

▲ AI anchor test broadcasts and viewer experience services…Establishing AI guidelines to set standards

KBS has also started AI anchor test broadcasts. On March 3, at 4 p.m., news was presented by an AI trained on the voice of a KBS announcer for the "KBS Korean Network" radio channel aimed at enhancing Korean ethnic identity. KBS plans to offer future universal services to viewers, including "AI standard Korean pronunciation service" and "AI commentary service for visually impaired individuals."

AI technology will also be utilized in viewer experience services. An "AI Anchor Experience Zone" will be set up at the KBS headquarters viewer plaza, allowing viewers to converse with the AI anchor developed based on KBS anchors and announcers or experience having their articles read as news by the AI anchor. KBS plans to expand the services where viewers can experience AI broadcasting technology.

In particular, KBS plans to establish "AI broadcasting production guidelines" ahead of the full-scale utilization of AI technology in broadcasting. It aims to set standards for AI broadcasting production by broadly addressing production methods, work scope, ethical issues, and more.

▲ Leading global AI broadcasting technology and accelerating commercialization

KBS is already leading AI technology in the broadcasting field. The AI-based multi-cam video production solution "Vertigo" participated in the production of the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)'s flagship program "Kōhaku Uta Gassen," achieving direct camera footage combined with 8K high-definition cameras. "Vertigo" has begun to be utilized in Korean Wave programs and global broadcasting production sites such as the "Korea-ASEAN Music Festival," "NHK Music Expo," and "Changwon K-POP World Festival," and will enter full-scale commercialization this year.

KBS's long-running programs are also being transformed with AI technology. In a special 30th-anniversary broadcast aired on February 2, a depiction of 1930s Seoul recreated with generative AI was presented.

KBS Radio is also leading the AI broadcasting era by consecutively launching special planned broadcasts. On the occasion of Broadcast Day last September, it experimented with various programs, including airing an AI DJ on the program "Station X" that utilized generative AI. The "AI Eun Ga-eun," created with the appearance and voice of trot singer Eun Ga-eun, hosted a broadcast program with songs made using AI.

KBS President Park Jang-beom noted, "Public broadcasters must lead the changes and innovations in the media environment of the AI era," adding, "By actively incorporating AI technology, we will enhance creativity and efficiency in the production field and increase the value of license fees through more accurate information delivery and diverse services."

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