AI ‘reporters’ Ivan, Aira debut on Radyo Pilipinas

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

MEET IVAN AND IRA. Presidential Broadcast Service-Bureau of Broadcast Services’ artificial intelligence “reporters” Ivan and Aira. They were launched on Saturday (Sept. 13, 2025) during the latest episode of PBS-BBS’ AI Talks radio program. (Screenshot from AI Talks with the VoiceMaster)

MANILA – The Presidential Broadcast Service-Bureau of Broadcast Services (PBS-BBS) on Saturday introduced its artificial intelligence (AI) “reporters” Ivan and Aira during its AI Talks radio program, which airs every Saturday morning.

PBS-BBS Director General Fernando Amparo Sanga said the launch of the AI reporters coincides with the network’s 78th founding anniversary and supports the Marcos administration’s push to reach a wider audience and combat fake news.

Sanga said the debut of Ivan and Aira is expected to attract more listeners and ensure the effective delivery of the government’s message to the public.

It would also eliminate political bias, as AI “cannot be used for opinions.”

“Actually, it’s still us who writes the news and information that these AI reporter delivers. We provide the input. They do the execution. And since this is AI generated, it is faster, it enhances the content,” Sanga told the PNA.

“And more importantly, the creative execution will attract more audience to our government platforms like Radyo Pilipinas. Hence, we expect to reach more of our target audience,” he added.

On Aug. 7, Sanga signed a memorandum of understanding with Pocholo Gonzales, dubbed the “Godfather of Filipino AI Voices,” to launch AI Talks with The VoiceMaster, the first AI-driven program airing on Radyo Pilipinas every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Sanga emphasized the importance of harnessing new technologies, including AI, to deliver essential public services in a more effective and far-reaching way.

Gonzales, also producer and host of the show, said AI is not an enemy but an effective tool for disseminating news.

“Hindi lang ito basta programa … ito ay isang rebolusyon sa paraan ng paghahatid ng balita at kaalaman. Balitang AI ang kauna-unahang AI-animated news reporter sa buong mundo — ipinapakita nito na kaya nating maging trailblazer, hindi lang tagasunod (This is not just any program … it is a revolution in the way news and knowledge are delivered. Balitang AI, the world’s first AI-animated news reporter, shows that we can be trailblazers, not just followers),” he said.

“Ito na ang panahon ng Bagong Filipino — isang lahi na hindi takot sa pagbabago, kundi handang yakapin ito. Lahi na mulat, marunong at responsable. Gamit ang AI, kaya nating linisin ang digital na mundo mula sa kasinungalingan at gumawa ng kinabukasan na puno ng pag-asa at kabutihan (This is the time of the New Filipino — a generation that is not afraid of change, but ready to embrace it. A generation that is aware, knowledgeable, and responsible. With AI, we can cleanse the digital world of lies and create a future full of hope and goodness),” Gonzales added.