Octobank launches AI-only video news coverage of TAF! 25 - a first for regional banking PR
Octobank has released an AI-generated video report of the TAF! 25 festival with no film crew, no on-site journalist, and no manual editing. Visuals, anchor avatar, script, voiceover, and post-production were all produced through neural networks.
It's a first for the region: a bank publishing an event report built entirely by AI. The result cuts production costs, speeds up release cycles, and sends a clear message about where corporate communications is headed.
"Our goal is bigger than testing AI in comms. We're building a media model where speed, quality, and technology work together," said a bank spokesperson.
How the AI newsroom works
- Content generation: AI writes the script based on bank updates and event inputs.
- Anchor avatar: A lifelike presenter delivers the segment without studio time.
- Visual assembly: B-roll, graphics, and transitions are created and sequenced by models.
- Voiceover: Synthetic speech provides consistent tone across languages.
- Automated edit: The system handles cuts, sound levels, subtitles, and export.
- Multilingual output: Uzbek, Russian, and English are produced in parallel.
Why PR and communications teams should care
- Speed to publish: Near-real-time coverage without waiting on crew availability.
- Cost profile: Lower spend per video; more frequent updates fit the same budget.
- Consistency: Stable brand voice, look, and pacing across markets.
- Localization at scale: Multi-language releases on the same day.
- Operational resilience: No single point of failure tied to physical production.
What this signals for CIS and EU corporate broadcasting
Octobank positions itself among the first banks to publish AI-driven news under its own brand. The move sets a new bar for internal studios across the region and gives media and academic teams fresh material for case work.
Early industry feedback has been positive. For PR leaders, this is a practical blueprint for building lean, always-on video reporting.
Governance and risk checklist
- Disclosure: Clearly label AI-generated content to maintain trust.
- Fact-checking: Enforce human review for data, quotes, and claims.
- Rights management: Verify licenses for footage, music, and model outputs.
- Data privacy: Keep sensitive information out of prompts and training data.
- Representation: Audit avatars, voices, and visuals for bias.
- Escalation paths: Define who signs off during fast-moving events or crises.
- Model/version control: Log prompts, parameters, and outputs for audit trails.
Metrics to track
- Time to publish: Event end to video release.
- Cost per finished minute: All-in cost divided by runtime.
- Error rate: Corrections required per video.
- Localization performance: Watch time and retention by language.
- Distribution efficiency: CTR, completion rate, and repeat viewers.
- Brand sentiment: Social and press signals before/after rollout.
The initiative behind the release
The TAF! 25 AI edition sits within OCTOBANK AI-TV, the bank's video news program built on generative tech. Topics range from institutional updates to financial literacy, delivered in three languages.
Earlier this year, Octobank became the first financial institution in Uzbekistan to run ongoing multilingual video broadcasts without a traditional crew. This isn't a campaign stunt; it's a long-term investment in digital infrastructure that blends generative AI, financial analytics, and modern distribution.
Practical starting playbook for PR teams
- Pilot scope: Pick one series (event recaps or product updates) and run a 4-6 week sprint.
- Tool stack: Script generator, avatar/voice, graphics, auto-edit, translation, QC dashboard.
- Editorial guardrails: Tone rules, banned claims, compliance phrases, disclosure language.
- QA workflow: Two-step human review (facts and brand), then final sign-off in legal.
- Localization standard: Terminology lists and voice consistency across languages.
- Post-launch loop: Tag every video with metrics, learn weekly, update prompts/templates.
Where to watch and learn more
The video is available on the Octobank AI-TV YouTube channel. For broader context on AI in newsrooms and regulation, see:
Helpful resources for your team
- Generative video tools: practical options and workflows
- AI courses by job function (useful for PR and comms upskilling)
Background on Octobank
Octobank is a tech-forward bank in Central Asia focused on digital solutions, transparent customer policies, and product innovation. The bank continues to advance fintech in the region by weaving modern technologies into customer service, analytics, and communications.
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