Israeli Broadcaster Launches AI Chat with 'Checkout' TV Show Characters

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan) has launched an innovative AI-powered website allowing viewers to interact with 12 characters from the popular satirical TV show "Checkout" (Kupa Rashit). This initiative coincides with the premiere of the show's sixth season, available on Kan 11 and Kan BOX.

Since its launch after Yom Kippur, the platform has facilitated approximately 110,000 conversations, with users sending nearly half a million messages to the characters. Developed by Kan's digital division, the AI aims to replicate the distinct personalities of characters portrayed by actors including Noa Koler, Keren Mor, and Dov Navon. The AI's knowledge base is updated after each new episode, enabling conversations that reference events from all aired seasons.

A key challenge in development was maintaining each character's unique voice and demeanor, even when users attempt to provoke or steer them off-character. The AI is programmed to respond in line with the characters' established personalities if conversations become inappropriate. For instance, if a user mentions a specific scene, a video player embedded in the chat will direct them to it.

Initial data reveals significant viewer engagement, with an average conversation length of five messages, and some extending to 40 messages. Koki Shavit is the most popular character, accounting for 24.8% of all chats, followed by Amnon Titinsky (13.1%), Shira Shtainbok (12.1%), Ramzi Abd Ramzi (11.8%), and Anatoli Kirilenko (7.6%).