Television host and actress Kaladkaren delivered a sharp response to a netizen who criticized her remarks on artificial intelligence (AI) and referred to her using the pronoun “he.”
The controversy ignited when Kaladkaren commented on GMA Network’s AI-generated sportscasters, Maia and Marco.
While many individuals rallied behind Kaladkaren’s statements about the AI sportscasters, some netizens scrutinized her for indirectly targeting GMA Network.
This transpired during the closing segment of TV5’s primetime newscast, ‘Frontline Pilipinas,’ on September 25, wherein she playfully emphasized that she was a real person, not AI, before introducing herself.
The video clip rapidly gained traction on various social media platforms, eliciting amusement and admiration from numerous users for Kaladkaren’s witty response. Nonetheless, not everyone shared the same sentiment, as some criticized her for being unprofessional.
In the video, Kaladkaren can be seen playfully imitating robot movements in response to a teasing comment from TV5 sportscaster Mikee Reyes, who suggested that she might be AI. Kaladkaren swiftly retorted, “Huy, totoong tao po ako ha, mga kapatid.”
Within the comments section of the post, several individuals lauded Kaladkaren’s response, while others deemed it unprofessional. A Kapuso fan account (@KapusoThingsPH) left a comment stating, “He thought he did something (face vomiting and clown emoji).”
Kaladkaren did not let the misgendering slide and promptly retorted, “You think you can put me down by misgendering me? Gurl, I have fought and won battles worse than this. Mahiya ka @KapusoThingsPH.”
You think you can put me down by misgendering me? Gurl, I have fought and won battles worse than this. Mahiya ka @KapusoThingsPH pic.twitter.com/5jihEo3LER
— KaladKaren (@jervijervi) September 25, 2023
Earlier, on September 23, GMA Network unveiled the country’s inaugural AI presenters, Maia and Marco, designed to support courtside reporters in providing live updates during NCAA Seasons 99. This development ignited concerns among certain individuals regarding the potential displacement of human broadcasters within the field of journalism.
GMA Network clarified that Maia and Marco serve as AI presenters, not journalists, and their purpose is to complement, not supplant, human reporters. The network reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the value of its human assets and the integrity of its reporting while embracing AI as a tool to enhance operational capabilities.