Microsoft and BBC made an AI-powered iPlayer that you won't get to use anytime soon

Microsoft and BBC teamed up to build the next-generation of BBC’s iPlayer. The next-generation of iPlayer is supposedly powered by artificial intelligence. Firstly, it would be able to log users into iPlayer with their voice and a phrase. The feature seems to work pretty well in the demo shown by the BBC below, although it’s not clear how secure the authentication system is. Some would even argue that Microsoft’s Windows Hello system would be a faster and more reliable solution when it comes to authentication on TVs, but that would require TVs to have special hardware and software.

BBC is also supposedly using artificial intelligence to offer smarter searching options to iPlayer users. The next-generation of iPlayer would allow users to use their voice to find content using commands like “show me something funny” or “put GoT on for me.” Of course, this feature isn’t anything ground-breaking as it’s already available on most modern TV streaming services and across a range of other apps from independent developers.

BBC says once AI and machine learning advances “sufficiently” it would be able to offer a smarter iPlayer experience using different environmental variables such as the sound of your room, and more:

As the technology advances, voiceprints and artificial intelligence could enable even greater levels of personalisation. For example, if you’re watching a programme on your tablet on your way back from work then, later on, when you’re settling down on the sofa, your TV could ask you if you wanted to carry on from where you left off. You might respond “No thanks, is there anything new I might like?” and be offered some suggestions.

To get a better idea of the smarter iPlayer, you can watch the demo below:

The next-generation of iPlayer was built for internal testing purposes only, and there doesn’t seem to be any plans on bringing it to the public anytime in the near-future.