Listen up, podcast listeners – the ads you hear might soon come courtesy of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) bot. According to Bill Simmons, founder of Spotify-owned podcast network The Ringer, the streaming platform is reportedly in the process of developing AI tools trained on its hosts’ voices in order to create targeted ads. Doing so could give a ticketing company the power to target its ads to different locations, and open up podcast accessibility to a wider audience.
Simmons’ comments may have opened up the possibility of AI-generated content, but it has also led to debates, as labels are quickly removing these tracks from streaming services. This follows Ice Cube’s stance on the matter, as he believes it’s “demonic” and has threatened to sue anyone engaging in illegal usage. On the other hand, artists like Grimes have taken a more open-minded approach, expressing that she would be willing to share royalties for AI-generated music in her style.
Following the conversation, Spotify responded quickly and took down hundreds of AI-generated songs uploaded to its platform by AI startup, Boomy, earlier this year. This shows the streaming platform’s commitment to developing AI-generated content without ruining the experience of its users.
The Ringer is an American sports and pop culture multimedia website and podcast network that was founded by Bill Simmons in 2016. It was originally based on the website and publishing company of the same name, but has since become a multimedia network which produces original podcasts, tour live events, and produces original video series. It has been cited as one of the fastest-growing digital media companies in history, with over 100 million screens visited per month in the U.S. alone.
Simmons is an American sports analyst, media personality, podcaster, and writer. He is best known for launching the website Grantland, hosting the podcast The Bill Simmons Podcast, working on the ESPN television series The Grantland Basketball Hour, and executive producing an HBO series. He is currently the founder and CEO of The Ringer, and has written several books on sports, television, and pop culture. He was also part of the “30 for 30” documentary series on ESPN. Simmons has been nominated for seven Sports Emmy Awards for his work in content production.
