Viewers tuning into Channel 4’s Dispatches on Monday night (October 20) were stunned when the show revealed its own presenter, Aisha Gaban, was completely AI-generated. The groundbreaking documentary, “Will AI Take My Job?”, explored the growing menace of automation across sectors like law, fashion, and medicine — but saved the biggest twist for last.

Britain’s First AI Presenter Bamboozles Viewers

Aisha Gaban wasn’t a real-life journalist but a digital creation, produced by AI fashion brand Seraphinne Vallora for Kalel Productions. Her voice and image were crafted using AI prompts to deliver a polished on-camera performance. Channel 4 kept the secret under wraps throughout the show, only dropping the bombshell at the very end.

“AI is going to touch everybody’s lives in the next few years. And for some, it will take their jobs. Call centre workers? Customer service agents? Maybe even TV presenters like me. Because I’m not real. In a British TV first, I’m an AI presenter.”

The stunt highlighted just how convincingly AI can mimic human presenters and raised urgent questions about trust and authenticity in modern media.

Channel 4 Won’t Make AI Presenters a Habit — Yet

Louisa Compton, head of news and current affairs at Channel 4, reassured viewers that AI broadcasters are not on the immediate horizon.

“The use of an AI presenter is not something we will be making a habit of at Channel 4 – instead our focus is on premium, fact-checked, impartial, and trusted journalism. AI simply can’t do that.”

“But this stunt serves as a useful reminder of how disruptive AI can be – and how easily it can fool audiences with content they can’t verify.”

Social Media Reacts: Some Terrified, Others Amused

• Some viewers admitted they never suspected the AI presenter. “Very good trick,” one tweeted.
• Others spotted giveaways: “Too neat framing, odd diction, and the name was a big clue!”
• Many called it “terrifying” that so many people were fooled.
• Some praised Channel 4 for pushing boundaries: “On brand for C4 – and in a good way.”
• Jokes circulated, with one saying, “New season of Black Mirror is wild.”
• While some were skeptical that AI would replace jobs anytime soon, others warned that this stunt could be a “soft launch” for future AI anchors.

AI Documentary Still Streaming

Will AI Take My Job? – Dispatches is available now on Channel4.com.