AI in radio: How to use AI and retain humanity

Every entertainment industry is wrestling with the rise of AI, and the radio business is no exception. After a period where many hoped AI would be a flash in the pan phenomenon, a shift in realisation has occurred. The conversation has shifted from ‘if we use AI’ to ‘how we use AI’, which I think is the most pragmatic approach. However, the ‘how’ the radio industry is currently fixated on feels misguided.

Why AI Playlists miss the mark

Radio’s planned trajectory appears to be one of imitation, not innovation. The talk is of AI-curated playlists, AI-driven music sequencing, and algorithmically personalised station streams. This is a profound strategic misstep. As MIDiA has pointed out on several occasions, the core strengths in a digitally-saturated age is its profound lack of algorithmic intermediation (which I’ve laid out sequentially in my blog about the strengths of online radio).

Radio’s core strength lies in its personality and local connection. It is a medium built on trust and companionship, where the presenter acts as a guide, a familiar voice that provides context, shares stories, and creates a sense of community. This human touch is radio's strategic advantage – a live, shared experience that cannot (yet) be replicated by an algorithm.

This is why the industry’s growing interest in deploying AI for core music curation and playlist generation is a strategic misstep. Introducing algorithmic selection at the heart of radio undermines this key differentiator. The magic of a great radio show often lies in the presenter’s unexpected segue, a deep-cut track played on a whim, or a themed hour that reflects their personal passion. This human-led curation fosters discovery and emotional resonance in a way that pure data-driven logic cannot.

Strategic integration: Where AI empowers radio

That isn’t to say there isn’t a role for AI in radio. However, the opportunity for AI is not in the spotlight, but in the supporting roles. It should be used to enhance the human elements of radio, not replace them. By automating operational tasks and amplifying audience engagement, AI can free up creators to focus on what they do best.

1. Enhancing listener engagement: Deploy AI to deepen audience interaction without compromising the live broadcast's integrity. AI can manage competition entries across multiple platforms simultaneously or generate instant, music-related quizzes. This fosters a more dynamic experience, strengthening listener loyalty whilst preserving the presenter's central role.

2. Enabling creative teams: Utilise AI as an operational tool to alleviate administrative burdens. It can provide concise news summaries for bulletins, identify relevant topical themes for discussion, or transcribe interviews for digital content. This efficiency allows presenters and producers to dedicate greater focus to creative delivery and audience connection.

3. Optimising commercial value: Implement AI to introduce sophistication in advertising. Dynamic ad insertion can tailor commercial content to specific regional audiences within a national broadcast. This enhances relevance for the listener and increases advertising yield, all whilst maintaining a seamless broadcast flow.

Retain radio’s authenticity advantage

In an automated world, authentic human connection becomes a scarce and increasingly valuable commodity. The industry's pivot to AI must therefore be one of reinforcement, not replacement. By leveraging technology to fortify its human core, by making hosts more informed, interactions more vibrant, and operations more intelligent, radio will weather the AI storm. It can solidify its position as an indispensable, live, and human-centric medium. The ultimate success of AI in radio will be measured not by how automated it becomes, but by how human it continues to feel.