China's first artificial intelligence (AI)laboratory for broadcasting opened on December 18.

The lab, in Changsha, capital of the central province of Hunan, is a project between the provincial broadcaster and leading Chinese AI firm iFlytek.

The lab will focus on research on products to help journalists transcribe their Chinese-language interview recordings and produce tailor-made broadcasting programs, said sources with the broadcaster, the Hunan Broadcasting System.

Hu Yu, chief executive of iFlytek, said the lab will show how AI can ease the workload of journalists and make their work more efficient. The AI technology, through smart speakers and robots, can offer an interactive experience for users.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2017)