The BBC World Service programme Witness History will release five animated video adaptations of recent episodes, created using generative AI technology. This marks a first for the BBC World Service, as it explores new ways to bring its journalism to audiences worldwide.

The first animated episode, The World’s First Labradoodle, is now available on the BBC World Service YouTube channel. It will be followed by animated versions of Brazil’s Biggest Bank Heist; Ramesses II’s ‘Mummy Makeover’; The Discovery of Lord Sipan in Peru; and Arrested for Playing Football in Brazil.

The project aims to extend the reach of Witness History by transforming its acclaimed audio storytelling into an engaging visual experience.

Fred Durman, Head of Business Development, BBC World Service, says: “This exciting project uses generative AI to give a second life to our original programming, enabling us to reach new audiences in a novel way.”

Anna Doble, Digital Editor at the BBC World Service, says: “We’re exploring using AI technology to help bring these fascinating audio stories from Witness History to life in visual form. We look forward to hearing how new audiences respond to this new approach.”

Guang Jin Yeo, Animator at 1UpMedia, adds: “By thoughtfully adapting these Witness History stories into video, we have produced an animation to accompany the audio that doesn’t compromise the depth and care that defines the programme. Using generative AI allows us to unlock the extraordinary BBC World Service archive of narrative audio for visual audiences who may never have encountered it before.”

The first animation, Witness History: The World’s First Labradoodle, is now available on the BBC World Service YouTube channel.

You can also listen to Witness History every weekday on BBC World Service English and as a podcast on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.