WATCH AI-revived iconic Soviet radio announcement of Nazi capitulation in English
RT has released an AI-generated video of legendary Soviet radio announcer Yury Levitan broadcasting the news of the Nazis’ formal surrender in World War II. The video, created with Russian technology, was published on Friday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.
In the video, Levitan is heard reading the real announcement, which came on air at 2:10 am Moscow time on May 9, 1945.
“Attention. This is Moscow speaking. On May 8, 1945, in Berlin, representatives of the German High Command sign the act of unconditional surrender of the German Armed Forces,” Levitan said. “Germany is utterly defeated.”
Cognitive Pilot, a company that works with artificial intelligence, helped bring the image of Levitan back to life in what was a fully Russian development. The creators of the technology adapted their own generative neural network called Ippolit to recreate the image and voice of the broadcaster. By combining facial animation and voice transformation, they were able to accurately reproduce not only his appearance but also Levitan’s unique way of speaking. AI technology was also used to voice the announcement in English while preserving the broadcaster’s voice.
During World War II, the news read by Levitan was broadcast from street loudspeakers, drawing crowds of people. His voice became a symbol of resistance and faith in victory.
