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We Watched Peacock’s New AI Replicant of Al Michaels

AI or Al?

Peacock, the streaming home of this year’s Summer Olympics, is rolling out a new tool that gives you daily video recaps narrated by a computer doing an uncanny-valley Al Michaels impersonation. Peacock’s large language model and team of editors attempt to account for pauses, breaths, and shifts in energy, and to some extent it does, especially in introducing the day’s playlist. At least you can fully opt out of this one (and any concern that you’ll inadvertently damage the environment by using it during the “ hottest Olympics on record ”) in Peacock’s settings starting with its rollout on July 27th, if you so choose.

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