Artificial Intelligence (AI) is starting to make its way into the newsroom, with outlets like Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, Gizmodo, VentureBeat, CNET, and others experimenting with AI-written articles. While many journalists may disapprove, there are startups that believe AI can enhance the news consumer’s experience. The newest addition is Rio, an “AI news anchor” designed to help readers engage with stories from trustworthy sources that interest them the most.
The team behind AI-powered audio journalism startup Curio introduced the Rio app at the recent South by Southwest Festival in Austin. It has secured funding from Khosla Ventures and Chris Anderson, the head of TED. Curio, founded in 2016 by ex-BBC strategist Govind Balakrishnan and London lawyer Srikant Chakravarti, is leveraging AI technology to enrich the news experience.
Rio, initially a feature within Curio’s app, scans headlines from reputable sources such as Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and The Washington Post to compile a daily news briefing for users to read or listen to. The platform aims to prevent users from getting stuck in echo chambers by presenting news that broadens their understanding and encourages further exploration.
Image Credits: Curio/Rio
