Radio Personalities Remain Skeptical of AI

 

Ashley

A Portland OR radio station made history this summer by becoming the first in the country to use an AI DJ for an entire shift.

“AI Ashley” first appeared in June on KBFF Live 95.5 in Oregon, and used an artificially generated version of the voice of Ashley Elzinga, a human host based in Michigan, with her consent.

At the Morning Show Boot Camp last month in Dallas, Texas, many expressed skepticism about the presence of AI in their industry, according to ABC News.

“AI is a powerful tool, and in a dream land it will not be used for evil. But if you’ve watched enough movies or looked out your window, there’s plenty of evil going on,” says Shawn Tempesta, a host for KVGS 102.7VGS in Las Vegas, Nevada. “To pretend that AI is not going to be a mass extinction event for jobs in this country, be it radio or anything else, you’re fooling yourself.”

“Obviously you have the fear that it’s going to replace you,” says Jessica Bonilla from Mix 105.1 in Orlando. “Any time that companies can figure out a cheaper, faster way to do a job, they will go with it.”

“I do concern myself that our contracts don’t protect our voices … It is my voice and it’s the way I choose to use it,” says Dylan. “They’re telling us they’re not going to use AI more and more, but I don’t know that anyone actually believes that.”

KBFF logo

But not all radio creatives feel so negative. Toby Knapp is with 97.1WASH-FM in Washington, D.C. He says he doesn’t see AI replacing radio jobs.

“I think the only constant in our business is change, and the only constant in technology is that it’s going to evolve,” says Knapp. “As a music personality, I don’t play CDs or queue up vinyl … today’s talent need to embrace what technology can do.”

“You can’t automate companionship. So, that’s why I see this as an extension, a next step, an evolution of what we do,” says Knapp.

“My message to any music talent is don’t be afraid of it. Because only you can do what you do. And that’s extremely important. You can’t replace that. Can you clone it? Sure. Can that cloning maybe help you in a pinch? We can discuss those options. But I don’t believe it's a be all and end all replacement nor is it inherently evil.”

Ashley Elzinga speaks to host Leigh Jacobs, left, on the panel discussion "Dissecting The Myths & Realities of A.I." at Morning Show Boot Camp alongside (L-R) Toby Knapp, Michelle McKormick, Tony Zazza and Nick Steele

Dan Anstandig is the founder and CEO of Futuri, an Ohio-based tech company that makes a range of broadcast-focused software, including several programs that use AI. He sees the technology as helpful during a time of industry layoffs and cutbacks.

“We have fewer people at a time where there’s more consumer appetite, and I think AI can help us bridge the gap,” says Anstandig.

One of Futuri’s products is called RadioGPT, which was used to create AI Ashley. The company says it can be used to write scripts, find stories, and even “host” radio programs using a selection of artificially generated voices. RadioGPT uses the GPT-4 large language model, which was created by OpenAI and also underpins the ChatGPT chatbot.

As to the question of compensation, Elzinga says she was paid for the use of her voice. She also says AI companies don’t own her voice or anyone else’s, and that was made clear when she agreed to take part in the "AI Ashley" project.

Fred Jacobs, a radio consultant, compares the role of AI in the radio business to Charles Darwin: the strong talent will survive.

“I think if you’re an accomplished air personality, particularly on a personality show, what AI will do is make your job easier,” says Jacobs.

One of the big questions about AI and radio is will the talent be compensated if their digitally altered voice is used in other markets. Right now, it’s up to individual broadcasters and their agents to negotiate how voices will be used.