【Article by GCIT】
As the AI revolution transforms industries worldwide, Taiwan’s news industry is also adapting to AI-driven innovations. To introduce students to these shifts, National Chengchi University's (NCCU) Master's Program in Global Communication and Innovation Technology (GCIT) invited Taiwan Broadcasting System (TBS) Chairman Hu Yuan-Huei to deliver a lecture titled “Be the Architect of Your Own Future – The Media Industry and Lifelong Learning in the AI Era.”

On October 7th, Chairman Hu visited NCCU, with the session moderated by Professor Lin Tsui-Chuan, Director of the GCIT program. Hu explored the digital transformation of TBS and the integration of AI in the media industry, drawing on global media ecosystems to highlight how AI and media are now deeply intertwined. According to Hu, AI is revolutionizing traditional news editing and production models, playing a key role in short video generation, social media content creation, and copywriting across both global and Taiwanese news landscapes.

Hu shared that Public Television Service (PTS), a subsidiary of TBS, has embraced a "digital first, people first" strategy, employing AI in data collection, copywriting, visual-assisted image generation, and short video editing. PTS also utilizes AI for news product monitoring to track public opinion trends, brand visibility, and key issue detection, facilitating smarter content distribution. TaiwanPlus, another TBS subsidiary, has focused on increasing exposure by digitizing content, serializing short videos, strengthening brand identity, and expanding its reach on diverse YouTube channels.
In addition to these developments, PTS is exploring AI-driven VTuber technology, where virtual assistants interact with users, and plans to introduce AI-powered voice narration across platforms, allowing viewers to preview content before watching. Looking ahead, Chairman Hu revealed projects including virtual AI sign language anchors, AI-powered language models for Hakka and Taiwanese, and automated AI integration, all aimed at improving accessibility and serving diverse audiences.
Beyond AI, TBS has incorporated virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR) technologies into its productions. For instance, Red Tail, a VR creation by Golden Horse Award-winning animator Wang Deng-Yu, was shortlisted for the XR Competition at the 79th Venice Film Festival and received recognition at numerous international XR festivals.

Addressing the ethical dimensions of AI, Chairman Hu emphasized TBS's leadership in public accountability. He noted that TBS was the first Taiwanese media organization to publish AI usage guidelines and has been considering external oversight to ensure responsible AI applications. Hu suggested that Taiwanese broadcasters could take cues from the BBC’s fact-checking initiatives by forming teams dedicated to debunking misinformation and equipping online professionals with the necessary tools to verify facts.

The mission of public media, Hu stressed, is to harness new technologies for the betterment of society. Unlike commercial media, which faces constant pressure for immediate returns, public broadcasters like PTS can take more time to experiment and innovate without needing instant commercial feedback. This gives them the freedom to explore AI applications that positively impact the public.

At the end of the lecture, Chairman Hu shared his academic and career experiences to encourage the students. He advised them to adopt an “Mindset of Challenge” in response to the rapidly changing workplace, while also finding their own position. Hu encouraged students to engage in interdisciplinary learning. He said, "Stay true to your original intentions and believe in yourself," emphasizing that they should not fear being replaced by AI. Unless one is willing to be replaced by technology, they should return to their core values and stay focused on becoming the kind of person they aspire to be.