Channel 13 Admits Using AI-Generated Audience in 'The Voice' Finale

The finale of "The Voice All-Stars," which aired last night on Israel's Channel 13, concluded with Daniel Barzilai's victory but sparked a social media storm and hit historic low ratings. Viewers noticed unnatural audience movements during the broadcast, particularly in the opening number and Static's performance. Viral videos circulated on social media showing perfectly synchronized clapping and robotic movements, drawing sharp criticism and described by users as "zombie-like" and disrespectful. Channel 13 has officially admitted to using artificial intelligence (AI) to create a simulated audience in the studio. Sources from the channel explained that the opening number featuring finalists and mentors was filmed in an empty studio, leading to the decision to add a virtual audience "so it wouldn't look strange." The rest of the program was filmed with a live audience. This marks a precedent in Israel for the official acknowledgment of using AI technology to simulate an audience in a television broadcast.

Adding to the controversy, the finale garnered a mere 4.9% rating. Media critic Ran Boker sharply criticized the channel's brand management, stating, "The finale of 'The Voice All-Stars' with 4.9%. For context, the finale of 'The Four,' the biggest failure in music reality history, brought in more." He added that Channel 13's handling of "The Voice" brand over the past year represented "one of the biggest value destructions I remember on Israeli television," attributing it to content issues and strategic decisions regarding competition and scheduling. Boker warned that the "new Channel 13 cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of previous managements that led the channel to this situation."