Live 95.5, a radio station based in Portland, Oregon, has launched an AI-driven DJ named AI Ashley. The virtual host sounds almost the same as the station’s midday host, Ashley Elzinga, and offers up to five hours of content daily, reading from a script generated by Futuri Media’s RadioGPT tool based on current news gathered from various sources online. Unlike other cases where AI replaces real people, Live 95.5 is using traditional Ashley in some segments while AI Ashley takes over during others. The station’s parent company, Alpha Media, says it’s a hybrid approach meant to enable both Ashleys to contribute value. Live 95.5 claims it’s the world’s first radio station to use an AI DJ, but there is no confirmation that such a feat has not been attempted before.
Social media users have mixed feelings about the use of AI in radio shows, with some claiming that it is a sign of disrespect for traditional hosts. However, others applaud the station for finding means of presenting fresh content that captures the audience’s interest. Other media ventures, such as iHeartMedia, have also found success in adopting AI. In 2020, the company laid off several staff members and began investing in AI. Startups also use cutting-edge technology that makes recording music and writing lyrics easier and smarter.
The media industry is altogether experiencing a revolutionary shift, and AI is increasingly becoming a game-changer. In the publishing world, audiobook narrators are struggling with the fear of losing their jobs, with Apple’s introduction of AI-narrated audiobooks adding to their concerns. Interestingly, the tech giant made this move with the launch of dozens of audiobooks narrated by AI voices, such as Madison and Jackson. AI’s impact on different industries is undeniable, and it is intriguing to see how it will transform the way things work in the future.
