OK — one more take on Artificial Intelligence and radio.
It might seem that the subject has been covered ad nauseam in broadcasting. On The Barrett Media Platform, it has been covered — with different angles — by this writer here and here.
Earlier this month at The Barrett Media Summit, scores of speakers gave their individual take on the benefits — and dangers — of A.I.
A totally different opinion emerged during a summer family vacation a few weeks ago — which we will get to shortly.
A.I. Has Always Been Part of Broadcasting
Artificial Intelligence has been around for decades in and around broadcasting. Through the proper lens, radio itself — the technology inside a studio, the transmission of electromagnetic AM and FM waves — is all Artificial Intelligence.
In fact, other forms of A.I. have been with us for a long time:
- Vinyl records – magnetic tape – cart machines – compact discs
- Teletype receivers – audio processors – microphones – electronic mixers
- Marti units – Telos phone systems – 360 digital editors – satellite receivers
So you get the picture — it is Artificial Intelligence.
A.I., properly used, is a terrific editor, a deep-dive research tool, and an unreal polishing tool. Furthermore, A.I. tightens copy, sharpens promos, rewrites alternate headlines, and assists in organizing ideas.
However, A.I. does not live in local markets, play games at your remotes, connect with listeners, or comprehend what culture you have built inside your cluster.
Where Is the Uncrossable Line?
So where is the uncrossable line? When does it stop being your original thinking and cross over to Artificial Thinking?
This subject came up during a Michigan family vacation. While discussing a few landscape shots taken throughout the state, I mentioned to the group that I used A.I. to sharpen the focus of one of my pictures. My son instantly said, “It’s no longer your picture. It’s A.I.”
Additionally, a vintage filter was used to stylize a sunset picture outside our cabin along the river where we were staying. The picture is below.
Again, the conversation continued: when do original creations cease to be original if they are assisted by A.I.?
A Brief Digression: Fifty Years of Altering Photos
Allow me a 30-second digression. I have been altering photos for 50 years. As Photo Editor of my school newspaper, the photos we used in our weekly paper were taken by an A.I. camera. They were developed using Kodak’s best Dektol and Stop Bath — also A.I. — while we “burned” and “dodged” the final product to accentuate parts of the end creation. Those photos were still original creations.
Back to broadcasting. Today’s best programmers and air personalities use A.I. for their original creations the same way they use editing software, filter curve tools, or music scheduling programs — to improve what they have created, not to create for them.
There is the line. That is it. Do not cross it.
The Danger of the Slippery Slope
The danger of Artificial Intelligence in radio lies on the slippery slope of programmers and air talent using it to replace themselves. A.I. is — and always has been — good at improving what already exists. Moreover, A.I. edits, refines, and shortens content in seconds. The listener is getting educated on A.I. as quickly as you are. Ultimately, listeners can sense the artificial.
Industry leaders echo this. Jeff McCarthy of Midwest Communications told Barrett Media that A.I. should strengthen radio provided it works alongside human creativity rather than replacing local personalities. He also emphasized that once listener trust is lost, it is difficult to regain. And — do not fear A.I. Fear the people who know how to abuse it.
Examples like Futuri’s RadioGPT and additional experiments with A.I. bots have intensified concerns about job displacement. Companies developing these technologies argue they are intended to improve efficiency — not eliminate radio personalities altogether.
What the Experts Are Saying
Consulting legend Mike McVay says that while A.I. has become much more prominent in recent years, he agreed it has been part of the broadcasting industry for decades in various forms. Mike shared where he believes artificial intelligence can benefit radio in this clip from The Barrett Media Summit, explaining where it poses potential challenges for the industry.
Of course, Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. The broadcasters who learn to use it will work smarter and build better content. If you are still ignoring it, you will be outpaced by those who did not. Learn A.I. before it learns your job.
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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.