**Xiaoguan: The Digital Human Reporter Revolutionizing New Media Communication in China **
On August 23, the China Newspaper New Media (Client) Development Conference was inaugurated in Shenyang. During the conference, outstanding cases related to the theme report of the China Newspaper New Media were unveiled. The application of “digital human reporters in party media clients (Xiaoguan digital human)” by Chuan Guan News was recognized as an innovative exemplary case of digital technology application.
With the continuous advancement of AI, virtual digital humans have emerged, boasting lifelike appearances and high interactivity. Especially since the rise of the metaverse trend in 2021, a new generation of more realistic virtual humans has appeared. They have become pivotal in new media communication by enhancing content productivity, dissemination, and creativity.
Sichuan Daily has actively adapted to this trend by developing and launching a digital human reporter named “Xiaoguan” using advanced technologies like AI, deep learning, and convolutional neural networks. In practice, Xiaoguan leverages 5G, AI, AR/VR, and other technologies to provide innovative news and content experiences. This digital entity possesses human-like emotions, voice tones, lip movements, and gestures, enabling comprehensive intelligent video service capabilities like news broadcasting, virtual hosting, interactive live broadcasts, and user services.
By September 2022, after the launch of Xiaoguan, it was actively involved in significant report planning and managed to achieve seamless interaction between the real and virtual worlds. During the National Day in 2022, Xiaoguan, portraying a travel anchor, embarked on a journey across Sichuan, breaking conventional news delivery methods and attracting significant interaction from young netizens. Furthermore, during the national conferences, Xiaoguan, collaborating with another digital human, A Yang from Beijing, conducted joint interviews, explored various themes, and interacted with real-world scenes, offering audiences a fresh and exciting experience.
Beyond traditional media formats, the digital human Xiaoguan offers enhanced emotional and interactive content for users, improving their engagement and the competitive edge of the media platform. Xiaoguan also serves as a voice search assistant on the client-side, providing 24/7 intelligent interactive services.
In 2023, at the 22nd China Internet Conference on Digital Human Development, “Xiaoguan of Sichuan Online” was selected as a typical case for digital human application. Moreover, the Sichuan Daily has become a partner in the “China Digital Human Leading Program” initiated by the China Internet Association. Moving forward, Chuan Guan News will continue to empower Xiaoguan with advanced AI to drive content production and promote overall digital transformation. With just a few technical staff handling its production, maintenance, and updates, Xiaoguan can ensure content quality while significantly reducing labor costs.
https://sichuan.scol.com.cn/ggxw/202308/58962011.html