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Broadcaster Adopts 100% AI Production: Cost Savings vs. Job Loss Concerns
EBS to Air First 100% AI-Produced Program
Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) of South Korea is set to launch its first program entirely produced by generative artificial intelligence (AI) on October 30th. The humanities and culture program, 'AI Classics, 100 Books That Changed History,' will air Monday through Friday from 0:05 AM to 0:20 AM. The show features historical authors like Adam Smith explaining classic works, with all visuals, audio, narration, and subtitles generated by AI. EBS also plans to introduce other AI-produced content, including AI puppet shows.
Balancing Cost Efficiency and Employment Concerns
EBS sees AI production as an effective cost-saving measure for the struggling broadcasting industry. Kim Gwang-ho, Head of Programming Center, stated that AI could reduce the production cost of a puppet show from 12-15 million KRW to under 7 million KRW. However, the expansion of AI production raises significant concerns about job displacement for professionals such as voice actors and editors. Kim Seong-gwan, Head of the EBS branch of the National Union of Media Workers, and Choi Jae-ho, Chairman of the Korean Voice Actors Association, have called for thorough verification of AI content quality, cost-saving benefits, and the impact on employment, emphasizing producer responsibility for any disputes.
*Source: 한겨레 (2026-03-25)*
