BBC to make futuristic change to David Attenborough nature documentaries in fight against streaming giants

THE BBC will use AI technology to create new nature documentaries.

Robot devices will independently read animals’ behaviour and log key scenes.

It comes amid rising costs and competition from streaming channels.

The BBC’s natural history boss Sreya Biswas yesterday announced the corporation’s first hi-tech nature programme, called Spy in the Troop.

AI computer learning techniques have been built into existing spy creature cameras, which are disguised animatronics that move among groups of animals.

The gadgets will examine a troop of monkeys’ calls and facial expressions in order to read their feelings and build a catalogue of footage.

It will support the tireless work of camera crews, who wait for hours in tough conditions to capture the best action, as well as save costs.

Alex Vail, a cameraman on Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet, said: “I recently did a shoot where we waited six weeks from sunrise to sunset every day just waiting for this kill to happen in the jungle.

“You have to be listening carefully the whole time as you know this thing will only last for ten seconds and you simply can’t miss it.

“In the end, the event we’d waited all that time for sadly didn’t happen, which was pretty gutting to be honest, but that’s just part of the job.”

Biswas said the robot cameras will be the most advanced tech ever used in natural history.

She added: “Our landmarks are varied nowadays and we are trying to turn the wheel.”