A new format for news coverage has been launched in the Jogorku Kenesh, utilizing artificial intelligence technologies. Now, parliamentary news will be presented by virtual anchors who speak Kyrgyz, Russian, and soon, English.
The initiative was proposed by the new speaker Marlen Mamataliyev and became possible thanks to the modernization of the press service.
According to Zhainak Usen uulu, head of the press service, this initiative is not just an experiment but part of a large-scale program for digitalization and improving interaction with society.
It is important to note that with the arrival of new leadership, the Russian-language format is regaining its place in public communication, which was almost excluded under the previous speaker. Now, AI anchors will provide information in two languages – Kyrgyz and Russian, with English to be added in the future.
How Digital Anchors Function
Starting Monday, news broadcasts featuring virtual images created in the form of a young girl and boy began in parliament. They have been given names, designed in appearance, and their voice algorithms have been configured.
Zhainak Usen uulu explained that the project is based on modern generative technologies and was implemented with the involvement of two specialists:
• one is responsible for the technical setup of the program;
• the other moderates the process, uploading texts and forming introductions.
At the same time, content creation is still performed by live journalists who:
• gather information;
• write texts and form news topics;
• prepare synchronized reports.
After preparation, the materials are uploaded into the program for processing, voiceover, and visualization by the virtual anchors.
Advantages of Implementing AI
According to the head of the press service, the use of AI allows:
• to reduce the time for preparing news releases;
• to decrease costs on technical processes (makeup, lighting, studio shoots, and some directing work);
• to redistribute resources to more analytical tasks and the creation of quality content.
The project has already received positive feedback.
It is also important to note that there is no talk of reducing the number of journalists. On the contrary, new technologies are seen as an additional tool. In the future, the press service may also need specialists in motion design to create dynamic and graphic content.
“This is an expansion of capabilities, not a replacement for people. Journalists will be able to focus more on analytics and content,” added Zhainak Usen uulu.
Part of State Digitalization
The press service emphasizes that this project is part of the overall course towards the digitalization of state processes.
This concerns not only the media format but also simplifying citizens' interaction with the parliament through online appeals, expedited processing of requests, and more accessible information about the work of deputies and committees.
Work is also underway to make deputies' contacts more open to the media.
Deputy Opinion: “This is a Step Forward”
Dastan Bekeshev, a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh, spoke positively about the implementation of AI anchors.
According to him, the use of neural networks is a natural necessity of the time:
“I actively use neural networks in my work and daily life. It’s nice to see that the parliament is moving in this direction.”
He noted that the new format allows for advance notification of citizens about issues that will be discussed at meetings.
The deputy particularly emphasized the linguistic component. According to him, artificial intelligence can work in various languages – Kyrgyz, Russian, English, and even Chinese – without the need to increase the staff of editors.
“With AI, there are no problems – materials can even be released in Chinese. This simplifies the process and saves time,” he noted.
However, Bekeshev added that live human participation in political communication remains important, especially when interacting with citizens.
Thus, the launch of AI anchors in the Jogorku Kenesh has become not only a technological novelty but also part of a broader digitalization reform aimed at openness, accessibility of information, and bilingual (soon trilingual) communication with the public.
Interview conducted by Sofia Berezovskaya
