Channel 4's Dispatches becomes first British TV programme to feature AI presenter

Channel 4's Dispatches has become the first British television programme to feature an artificial intelligence (AI) presenter.

In a press release yesterday, Channel 4 announced the latest episode of the documentary series, titled Will AI Take My Job? Dispatches, is presented by an AI-generated avatar.

Channel 4 said it is "part of a deliberate on-screen stunt to show just how convincing artificial intelligence has become, and to highlight the speed at which the technology is developing."

"Dispatches investigates how AI automation is reshaping the workplace, pitting humans against machines in a series of real-world tests across medicine, law, fashion and music," Channel 4 said.

"The project represents a striking leap in both storytelling and technology, demonstrating the growing accessibility of AI tools that can convincingly replicate human presence on screen."

The documentary features the highly lifelike avatar named Aisha Gaban narrating the show and appearing to report on location.

It is only at the very end of the programme when it is revealed Gaban "was entirely AI-generated – face, voice and movements all created through AI technology, without a single frame of real-world filming."

Watch a clip from Will AI Take My Job? Dispatches below:

Gaban was generated by AI fashion brand Seraphinne Vallora for Kalel Productions. Channel 4 said the result "is almost indistinguishable from a real person."

Kalel Productions CEO Nick Parnes called the project "risky yet compelling."

"It's been nail-biting to create the AI presenter in time," Parnes said.

"Ironically, it gets even more economical to go with an AI presenter over human, weekly. And as the generative AI tech keeps bettering itself, the presenter gets more and more convincing, daily. That's good for our film, but maybe not so good for people's careers."

Adam Vandermark, Channel 4 Commissioning Editor for News and Current Affairs, said Kalel Productions "worked hard to make the reporter feel and appear as authentic as possible."

Vandermark added, "AI couldn’t do the work of an investigative journalist. Or could it? It’s far too early to tell, but it’s certainly a revelation to see this imaginary presenter front a Dispatches in such a clever and realistic way."

Channel 4 emphasised Dispatches complies fully with its editorial guidelines regulating the ethical use of AI, including a policy of full transparency and disclosure to audiences whenever AI is used.

"The use of an AI presenter is not something we will be making a habit of at Channel 4," said Louisa Compton, Channel 4 Head of News and Current Affairs, Specialist Factual and Sport.

"Instead, our focus in news and current affairs is on premium, fact-checked, duly impartial and trusted journalism – something AI is not capable of doing.

"But this stunt does serve as a useful reminder of just how disruptive AI has the potential to be - and how easy it is to hoodwink audiences with content they have no way of verifying."

In one part of the documentary, English composer Jim Hustwitt is tasked with competing against an AI music program to see which can create better music.

A composer competes against a leading AI music system, Suno, to test which one can make better music. pic.twitter.com/jEXSHV1Ekq

— Channel 4 Dispatches (@C4Dispatches) October 21, 2025

Will AI Take My Job? Dispatches also pits a doctor, a photographer and a lawyer against AI systems.

Some have criticised the programme, including a review in The Guardian which raised concerns over its lack of acknowledgement of AI's detrimental effects on the environment.

"It would have been nice if Dispatches had Gaban end the show by detailing exactly how much water was used to run the datacentre that created her, especially given Channel 4’s longstanding commitment to achieving net zero," wrote The Guardian's Stuart Heritage.

Some social media users have decried Channel 4, claiming it was hypocritical to air a programme about the negative impacts of AI on the workforce while choosing to replace a human journalist with AI.

Composer and songwriter Pete Carroll claimed Channel 4 was "testing the water to gauge reaction then they'll use more junk AI garbage to present their shows."

What a slap in the face ! Disgraceful. So testing the water to gauge reaction then they'll use more junk AI garbage to present their shows. Complicit in the demise of Creative, Tech, Crew jobs in TV ! https://t.co/cHxTb3VtE5

— Pete Carroll (@pcarrollmusic1) October 20, 2025

Others posted they were "simply terrified" by the stunt and they "hate it."

The news comes amid controversies over AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood as well as Spotify's new policies embracing AI-generated music on its platform.

Last year, the Irish government published a series of reports examining potential impacts of AI on the workforce in Ireland.

The research found that Ireland’s labour market is notably more exposed to the negative effects of AI than the world employment average, with 63% of Irish jobs at risk of being replaced by AI versus the global average of around 40%.

As Channel 4 mentioned in the documentary, around 60% of UK jobs are at risk due to AI. They add that nearly three-quarters of UK bosses have already introduced AI into tasks once carried out by humans.

Will AI Take My Job? Dispatches is now available to stream on Channel 4.