March 31, 2026
soul – Artificial intelligence is transforming every corner of the industry, and television is no exception.
A major Korean network recently announced plans to integrate AI across its programming. On March 23, SBS announced that its entertainment programs scheduled for the second half of this year will be fully enhanced with AI-driven technology.
Notable applications include AI-powered de-aging, which enhances the appearance of cast members by making their faces brighter and more youthful.
The network also leverages AI to generate simulated drone footage, transforming ground-level shots of cities into dynamic aerial-style visuals. “Actual drone filming in urban areas is often restricted due to noise and safety concerns, but AI enables more immersive and visually dynamic scenes,” SBS officials said in a press statement.
AI also streamlines post-production. According to SBS, the system can automatically remove unintended elements such as rigging equipment and crew members from multi-camera shots, preserving viewer immersion. In addition, you can transcribe and organize a large number of lines from the cast into text, reducing time-consuming editing work.
“This allows the production team to shift their focus from repetitive tasks to creative direction and storytelling,” the source added.
Incorporating AI into its TV production pipeline is a first for SBS, the broadcaster behind hit Korean entertainment shows such as “Running Man” and “Law of the Jungle.”
An SBS official said, “AI technology is not a tool to replace production staff, but rather a partner that allows production staff to focus on more creative work.” “We aim to improve the quality of our content and create a more immersive viewing experience.”
EBS plans to take this concept further and roll out fully AI-generated programming featuring a virtual cast.
As part of its spring programming overhaul announced on March 25, EBS announced the launch of “100 Books That Changed Classics and History Through AI” (translation). In the lecture-style program, AI is used to recreate historical figures and classic authors such as Adam Smith, author of “The Wealth of Nations,” and provide interpretations of each classic book. The first episode, which aired on Monday, featured “The Odyssey.”
According to EBS, around 10 different AI tools were used to create the series, including OpenAI, Gemini, and Claude. This technology was applied throughout the pipeline, from source text extraction and adaptation, to visual and audio generation, translation, and metadata tagging. Korean scholars and AI experts also participated in the production as advisors.
Cost efficiency remains a key driver of this change. At a press conference on March 26, EBS revealed that the program, which previously cost 8 million to 10 million won ($5,300 to $6,600) per episode, may have a budget of less than 7 million won due to the introduction of AI.
Industry insiders say there is nothing inherently wrong with expanding the use of AI in broadcasting, as long as it isn’t used to spread misinformation.
“Essentially, this may be another form of computer graphics, just more accessible and cost-effective,” said a media source on condition of anonymity.
Still, concerns remain. Critics argue that AI-generated content lacks sufficient quality control and regulatory oversight, potentially compromising creative integrity, as AI-driven post-production can easily alter scenes beyond the creator’s original vision.
“The problem with AI-generated content, especially on the internet, is that much of it is created without adequate safeguards,” the official said. “However, the risk is reduced, especially if public broadcasters implement it based on rigorous standards.”
Currently, South Korea does not have a comprehensive ethical or legal framework governing the use of AI in television production, but several companies have established their own rules.
KBS, a Japanese public broadcaster, established its own AI guidelines in August 2025, defining AI as an auxiliary tool in broadcast production, requiring strict human oversight, and requiring disclosure of AI usage. According to KBS, stricter standards apply, especially for news and current affairs content, and the use of AI output generated without verification is prohibited.
