Entravision Introduces an AI Latina News Anchor—and Sparks Debate

Over the past couple of years, artificial intelligence has become increasingly integrated into our lives, from art and music to work and entertainment. Now, Entravision is taking things a step further with an AI-generated Latina newscaster.

Last month, Entravision introduced LIA, short for Latina Inteligencia Artificial, as part of the team for AHORA, its new Spanish-language news streaming service. In a video published to YouTube on September 22, newscaster Jorge Viera introduces viewers to LIA, who says:

“I want to be absolutely clear with our audience. I am an AI-created newscaster. I’m not a person, and I’m not a journalist… Every word I say is selected, written, discussed, revised, and approved by Entravision’s editorial team,” LIA told viewers. “I cannot replace the work of a journalist. I cannot go out into the field, earn a source’s trust, press an official, witness events in a community, or make editorial decisions. That responsibility belongs to journalists like you and the human team behind every piece of information I present.”

Entravision’s goal is for LIA to deliver real-time information—including weather updates, explainers, data visualizations and election results—not to replace Latina journalists. According to the AI personality, Entravision’s Caroline Vázquez and LeaAnna Hernandez, along with the editorial team, direct her.

The decision has drawn criticism across social media, with users calling LIA a threat to Latina journalists. Given that Latinas in journalism generally have to work twice as hard to earn their place in the industry, many see LIA as a slap in the face to real Latina journalists. Others believe the technology could help Latina journalists tell more of our community’s stories.

Time will tell whether LIA helps or hurts Entravision AHORA’s news reporting. Would you trust an outlet that uses an AI-generated Latina newscaster?