German digital minister interviewed by AI television presenter

An interview with German Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger conducted by an AI television host is to air on Thursday.

Wildberger is to appear on a new programme dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) on broadcaster Welt TV.

"The interview was conceptualized with the help of artificial intelligence and conducted by an avatar presenter," Welt TV told dpa in Berlin.

"I think this initiative is excellent. We have to use technology and try it out," Wildberger said.

"With Germany's first avatar interview with a top politician, we are showing what AI makes possible," said Welt editor-in-chief Jan Philipp Burgard.

"We don't just want to observe new technologies, we want to experiment with them," he added. It's impressive how far the avatar has come. Nevertheless, a human-to-human conversation is unattainable in terms of dynamics."

According to the broadcaster, the interview will be broadcast during the weekly "AI World" programme, which is dedicated to current developments in AI, robotics and digital technologies of the future.

"All production steps, from finding topics to moderation, are controlled by AI," the broadcaster said. "The avatar is modelled on the World TV reporter Paul Klinzing, who monitors the programme editorially."

Welt TV recently emphasized at the premiere that the concept is unique in Germany in this form. "The regular news programmes will of course continue to be presented by real people," it said.