Maia and Marco
{{for|the Brazilian politician|Marco Maia}}
{{use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox artificial intelligence
| name = Maia and Marco
| logo =
| image = Maia and Marco.jpg
| caption = Avatars of Maia (left) and Marco (right)
| developer =
| user = GMA Network
| introduced = 2023
| country = Philippines
| type =
| purpose = Sportscaster
| language = {{hlist|English|Filipino}}
| derived_from =
| replaced_by =
| website =
}}
Maia and Marco are artificial intelligence used by GMA Network. Unveiled in 2023, they are used to fulfill the role of sports newscasters.
Background
Maia and Marco are artificial intelligence (AI) which take the form of three-dimensional human avatars. Maia makes use of a female avatar while Marco uses a male likeness.{{cite news |title=GMA's AI Sportscasters spark discussion on use of the tech in media |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/ncaa/sports/content/883078/netizens-praise-gma-network-s-first-artificial-intelligence-generated-sportscasters/story/ |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=GMA News |date=23 September 2023 |language=en}} They have aesthetic features that are typical to Filipino showbusiness personalities.{{cite news |last1=Tomada |first1=Nathalie |title=GMA says first AI sportscasters 'not replacing' journalists |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2023/09/26/2298957/gma-says-first-ai-sportscasters-not-replacing-journalists |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=The Philippine Star |date=26 September 2023}}
Among the technologies used in making and operating the AI include image generation, text-to-speech AI voice synthesis/generation, and deep learning face animation. They are also demonstrated to be bilingual, being able to speak in English and Tagalog (Filipino).
Use
The AI pair was unveiled by GMA Network on September 24, 2023, for their coverage of Season 99 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=John Mark |title=NCAA Season 99 parades expanded sporting calendar, AI sportscasters |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/ncaa-men/ncaa-to-feature-expanded-calendar-ai-sportscasters-a5172-20230923 |access-date=24 September 2023 |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |date=23 September 2023 |language=en}}
Fulfilling the role of sports newscasters, Maia and Marco would join GMA's courtside human reporters. The AI pair are scheduled to appear four times a month on GMA's digital media platforms. They will not appear in traditional television broadcast.
Reception
The launch of the Maia and Marco was met with strong reactions. Various journalists and other personalities across the Philippine media industry expressed concern that their employment be at risk with the introduction of AI. The quality of the AI ability to emulate human behavior was characterized by critics as "soulless".
{{cite news |last1=Isaga |first1=JR |title=Introduction of GMA AI sportscasters draws flak on social media |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/ncaa/gma-ai-sportscasters-draw-negative-social-media-reactions/ |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=Rappler |date=23 September 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Dancel |first1=Raul |title=AI sportscasters claim place in Philippine sports, but critics say they lack 'soul' |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/ai-sportscasters-claim-their-place-in-philippines-sports-but-critics-say-they-lack-soul |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=25 September 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Maragay |first1=Dino |last2=Villanueva |first2=Ralph Edwin |title='Players aren't automated, so why?': Filipino sportscasters cry foul as AI presenters debut on local sports TV |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2023/09/25/2298920/players-arent-automated-so-why-filipino-sportscasters-cry-foul-ai-presenters-debut-local-sports-tv |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=The Philippine Star |date=25 September 2023}}
GMA responding to concerns has stated that the AI would complement rather than replace its live human journalists including sportscasters.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines urged dialogue among its peers in the newsroom on policy on how to use AI, which the group acknowledge as "inevitable".