TLDR: KBS, the South Korean broadcasting company, has employed generative artificial intelligence to bring economist John Maynard Keynes to life in the concluding episode of its special three-part documentary series, ‘World 1945.’ This innovative approach aims to provide viewers with a vivid and immersive historical experience.
KBS is set to conclude its ambitious three-part documentary series, World 1945, with its final episode, The Weight of the Crown, the Dollar, airing on August 24th at 9:30 p.m. on KBS 1TV. This finale will notably feature a depiction of the influential economist John Maynard Keynes, visualized through the cutting-edge application of generative artificial intelligence.
The World 1945 series, planned by Son Jong-ho and executive produced by Lee Ki-yeon, has explored pivotal historical elements. The first two parts, Black Blood of Desire, Oil and Journey of Death, Nuclear, narrated by actor Kim Seo-hyung, delved into the historical significance of oil and nuclear power as absolute rings in the modern world. The third installment shifts its focus to the United States’ dollar, examining its role as a global safe asset and the cornerstone of international transactions, even 80 years after it became the world’s strongest currency.
Kim Do-won, the KBS producer directing the third part, revealed the innovative use of generative AI to recreate John Maynard Keynes. Given the scarcity of video footage of Keynes, the production team leveraged generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, to train on historical photographs of the economist. Through repeated image generation and refinement, they aimed to create the most realistic visual representation possible. These AI-generated images were then used to produce short videos, with specific actions guided by the production team, ultimately yielding broadcast-quality content.
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Producer Kim Do-won highlighted that this technology offers viewers a novel experience, vividly depicting historical circumstances that previously relied solely on imagination. Beyond visualizing Keynes, AI also played a crucial role in restoring and enhancing the quality of old photographs that might otherwise have been unusable in the broadcast. Kim Do-won also expressed a forward-looking perspective on AI’s role in future documentary production, anticipating its continued assistance in various aspects, including photo restoration and potentially more complex visual reconstructions.
