Anjana Om Kashyap and an AI clone will co-host the prime-time program "Black & White" on Aaj Tak [1].
This shift represents a significant pivot in Indian news broadcasting by integrating generative artificial intelligence into a flagship news slot. The move signals a broader industry trend toward AI-driven anchoring to reduce production costs or increase visual novelty.
The announcement was made on Monday [2]. The show is scheduled to air at 9 p.m. [1]. This programming change follows the exit of Sudhir Chaudhary, prompting the network to revamp its prime-time lineup [3, 4].
As part of the new format, Kashyap will lead the presentation alongside her digital counterpart. The program will feature segments covering a range of topics, including the national song, Pakistan, and the education system [1].
Kashyap's new role also extends to leading Aaj Tak HD [3]. The network's decision to field both a human journalist and an AI clone on the same set marks one of the more prominent uses of synthetic media in a live news environment in New Delhi [1].
The transition occurs as the network seeks to redefine its identity post-Chaudhary. By utilizing an AI clone, the network is testing the audience's reception to synthetic presenters in high-stakes political and social commentary segments [3, 4].
“Anjana Om Kashyap and an AI clone will co-host the prime-time program "Black & White".”
The integration of an AI clone into a prime-time news slot suggests that Indian media outlets are moving beyond experimental AI clips toward permanent synthetic integration. By pairing a trusted human anchor with an AI version, Aaj Tak is attempting to mitigate the 'uncanny valley' effect while simultaneously modernizing its brand after a major leadership change in its programming.
