Artificial intelligence is here—and here to stay. A.I. is on the verge of detonating radio’s traditional playbook and rebuilding it rapidly. A.I.-voiced personalities sound indistinguishable from legacy talent, while automated production tools write, voice, and in certain situations, mix a segment in seconds.
What once took a loaded studio and a full day of work can now be compiled with a single prompt, and that reality is forcing all audio to face the proverbial music. Adapt or become obsolete.
The speed at which artificial intelligence is plowing into our industry alarms even the most seasoned radio veterans. In the short time from the holidays to now, long-time audio creation professionals have turned to A.I. for innovative content creation.
The first to catch the eye and go “all in” was Contemporary Christian content creator David Sams. His background includes producing Hollywood-based television shows. His pivot lies in his audio-video portal, Keep The Faith Ministries, outside Nashville.
The Impact of Celeste Faith
A significant amount of content on the organization’s online portal is A.I.-generated. Sams experiments with the technology for several seasons. One piece of branding launched in late 2025 produced both praise and controversy for Sams—an entirely A.I.-designed Contemporary Christian artist named Celeste Faith.
Not only is the Celeste Faith model artificial-intelligence-generated—so is the song Joy. David Sams’s digital press describes Celeste as “the world’s first widely released biracial AI artist in contemporary Christian music,” while claiming she is far beyond being just “code.”
Sams positions Celeste Faith as both a “creative and spiritual presence,” suggesting she can minister to Christian audiences even though she is not human. Reactions to the new digital branding project have been mixed, ranging from Christian artists to Christian programmers.
Positive feedback reflects an affinity for the brand and awe of the technology. Several comments describe the song and video as “fun” and “ahead of the curve.” Others call it a “new frontier” and proclaim the use of the technology “brilliant.”
On the negative side, Christian industry voices have criticized the idea of A.I. musicians on spiritual grounds. They’ve expressed concerns that A.I. “has no Holy Spirit” and cannot genuinely minister through music. Christian radio veterans question why a talented content creator like David Sams would promote digitally developed artists. This while others applaud the industry’s negative reactions to the new brand.
Christian radio programmers have stated they will not air A.I.-generated music, arguing it undermines listener trust and authenticity. Despite social buzz, traditional platforms show little support for A.I. artists like Celeste Faith.
Glenn A.I.
Earlier this month, Glenn Beck rolled out his own version of A.I. content—“Glenn A.I., fully produced by Glenn Beck’s proprietary A.I.”
His initial digital podcast was not off-brand. Tt presents coverage of U.S. military interventions but generated by a custom A.I. model rather than Beck’s real voice.
Simultaneously, Beck unveiled his historical-based A.I., The Torch, tied to a new foundation he launched to preserve and teach American history using his vast archive of founding documents. The inaugural audio featured a digital conversation with George Washington.
Beck is one of the first high-profile personalities to use A.I. to generate a complete episode for his brand, moving beyond digital editing to actual content creation for his podcast.
What rubs conventional thinking about Beck’s brand is that he frequently warns about A.I. risks. Beck has said the technology is a threat to society, values, and perhaps freedom. He has described A.I. developments as a kind of “quiet detonation” that could change how humans live and think.
Beck’s dual stance on A.I.—critiquing it externally while embracing it internally—creates a clear dichotomy in how he justifies A.I.-generated content under the Blaze Media brand.
His Blaze fan base has applauded the move. They view it as innovative and educational when tied to his archive of American founding material rather than broad, generic A.I. Supporters appreciate the opportunity to access historical content in an interactive format.
Negative press, however, centers on mockery of the A.I. George Washington interview, calling it bizarre and lacking journalistic credibility with a gimmicky feel. Media analysts are questioning whether A.I.-generated commentary should be clearly labeled. No matter if it alters audience expectations for podcast hosts.
We felt it was important to include the voices of long-time, successful radio experts on the use of A.I. in their station clusters. Here are two of them.
A.I. Advancements With Jeff McCarthy
Jeff McCarthy is a more-than-40-year veteran of the industry and the long-time Vice President of Programming for Duke Wright’s Midwest Communications. From the company’s world-class headquarters in Green Bay, McCarthy oversees more than 80 stations across the Midwest and is a long-time radio friend.
Known for his collaborative culture, creativity-first mentality, and leadership development, McCarthy has been the rock guiding programming strategy and talent development. More than just a programming vice president, he would rather be in a studio creating new format imaging than wearing a suit poring over numbers.
It would be easy for Midwest Communications to scale A.I. for its brands.
*Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.*
Kevin Robinson – What are your overall thoughts about AI usage in radio?
Jeff McCarthy – AI is an amazing tool and it is not going away. If used properly, it can be extremely useful in radio if we use it for the right reasons.
Kevin Robinson – Have you used any AI platform in your stations and if so—how?
Jeff McCarthy – We encourage our talents to experiment with the AI platforms. We’re not locked into any one service. We want to learn the similarities and differences. I read a quote stating, “You won’t be replaced by AI, you’ll be replaced by the talent who knows how to use AI.” Embrace the experimentation.
Our usage is primarily in social media, commercial audio, and overall writing. How we use AI continues to evolve as we learn.
Kevin Robinson – How do you ensure authenticity and audience trust when AI is part of the content-creation process?
Jeff McCarthy – We live in a world where it has become increasingly difficult to know the truth. Trust is a critical component with the consumer. Once you lose that trust, it is extremely difficult to regain it. We have used AI in collaboration with human creativity on commercials and some social media.
However, if AI-generated air talent becomes a reality, there should be full transparency. Don’t be surprised if regulations are put in place as the technology advances. This would require disclosure of any AI usage.
Kevin Robinson – Do you believe AI will ultimately strengthen or weaken legacy broadcasting skills?
Jeff McCarthy – It will do both. If used properly, it will most definitely strengthen brands. Those who allow human creativity to work alongside AI as a tool will have a tremendous advantage.
However, if the goal is to replace local human talent with computerized disc jockeys, it will take us down a dangerous road. The constant is human creativity and participation. Using AI while still serving the local community with personalities will ultimately make broadcasting stronger.
Kevin Robinson – What other adaptions have you seen utilizing A.I.?
Jeff McCarthy – I have seen countless technical advancements over the years. Change is constant. If you do not learn to embrace it and use it to your advantage, you will be left behind. Records became CDs, turntables disappeared, and digital audio replaced CDs, yet we survived.
Play with it, experiment with it, and learn how AI can help you—not replace you.
Adapting with A.I. by John Spencer
John Spencer is a longtime Illinois Valley broadcaster and somewhat of a unicorn in the industry. After leading programming for his three radio brands for over a decade, John and his partners purchased the cluster in 2019.
He now serves as president, owner, and general manager of Starved Rock Media. John owns and operates market-leading stations in LaSalle-Peru—WLPO (AM/FM), WAJK, and WLWF. He joined the group three decades ago as a morning show host and production expert, eventually working his way into programming leadership and the 2019 station purchase from La Salle County Broadcasting.
Under his leadership, the group continues to super-serve listeners across north-central Illinois, and staff tenure spans decades. With limited resources in a small market, it would be easy for John to deploy A.I. across his cluster. We asked him the same questions.
Kevin Robinson – What are you overall thoughts about AI usage in radio?
John Spencer – AI is here, and it’s growing. If you’re not using it, you’re falling behind.
Kevin Robinson – Have you used any AI platform in your stations?
John Spencer – We’ve used ChatGPT and other AI platforms to write and strengthen ad copy and proposals. Also we’ve used it to create and refine graphics and images, plus research best practices and spark ideas.
Kevin Robinson – How do you ensure authenticity and audience trust when AI is part of the content-creation process?
John Spencer – Our people are using AI. Nothing is used on air or online without human intervention and verification. We are not using it to replace people. We are using it to be more efficient and better at everything we do.
Kevin Robinson – Do you believe AI will ultimately strengthen or weaken legacy broadcasting skills—and why?
John Spencer – Legacy broadcasting, at its best, is local storytelling and connection. Like so many tools we’ve adopted over time, AI is another powerful resource we should use responsibly to improve what we do.
David Sams, Glenn Beck, Jeff McCarthy, and John Spencer are all in the A.I. business. It will not be long until we all are.
iHeartRadio Chief Programming Officer and President Tom Poleman is on record positioning his nearly 900 stations as mostly A.I.-free in an October 2025 Barrett Media article.
However, artificial intelligence continues to pressure our business. How we use it responsibly and creatively remains the question. The future will be guided by algorithms, but it will also be driven by talent—programming, on-air, and creative professionals—who know how to merge innovation with personality.
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Kevin Robinson is a passionate award-winning programmer, consultant and coach – with multi-formats success all over the country. He has advised numerous companies including Audacy (formerly Entercom Communications), Beasley Broadcast Group, Westwood One, Midwest Communications, Townsquare Media, Midwest Family Broadcasting Group, EG Media Group, Federated Media, Kensington Media, mediaBrew Communications, Starved Rock Media, and more. He specializes in strategic radio cluster alignment, building lean-forward tactics and talent coaching – legacy and entry-level – personalities.
Known largely as a trusted talent coach, Kevin is the only personality mentor who’s coached three different morning shows on three different brands in the same major market to the #1 position. His efforts have been recognized by The World Wide Radio Summit, Radio & Records, NAB’s Marconi, and he has coached CMA, ACM and Marconi Award-winning talent. He is also in The Zionsville High School Hall of Fame as part of the 2008 inaugural class. Kevin is an Indiana native – living near Zionsville with his wife of 39 years, Monica and can be reached at kevin@robinsonmedia.fm.
