Live 95.5, a radio station in Portland, Oregon, has announced that it will feature an AI-powered clone of its midday host, Ashley Elzinga, called “AI Ashley.” Utilizing Futuri Media’s “RadioGPT,” which leverages GPT-4 technology, the station will generate a script based on trending news and have it read by a synthetic voice.

The station clarified that AI Ashley will not entirely replace traditional Ashley, alleviating concerns among local DJs. In recent years, radio stations have reduced broadcasts due to rising costs or to embrace technologies like AI. In 2020, iHeartMedia underwent a restructuring, leading to layoffs and investments in artificial intelligence.

Alpha Media, Live 95.5’s parent company, assured that Elzinga’s job was secure, and her salary would remain unchanged. The station plans to use a hybrid approach, featuring traditional Ashley during some segments and AI Ashley during others. While AI Ashley is on air, traditional Ashley may engage in community activities, manage social media posts, or work on digital assets.

To address potential listener concerns, Live 95.5 trained the AI to mimic the voice of an existing radio host already familiar to the audience. Although the synthetic voice clearly distinguishes itself as AI Ashley, some Twitter users expressed disappointment and deemed the AI disrespectful to the radio profession.

While Live 95.5 is among the first radio stations to adopt RadioGPT, it won’t be the last. Alpha Media’s KUFO Freedom 970, another Portland-based radio station, will also utilize the AI technology. Alpha Media oversees over 200 radio stations across the United States, positioning itself as the world’s first radio broadcasting company with an AI DJ.

Futuri, the developer of RadioGPT, partnered with Rogers Sports & Media, which owns numerous stations and podcasts in Canada. Concerns about the AI technology mainly revolve around misinformation, but Futuri claims safeguards are in place to prevent the spread of inaccurate or offensive content. A team of human moderators reviews and edits the generated scripts, ensuring accuracy before they are broadcasted.

While AI-powered DJs are gaining traction in the radio industry, striking a balance between technological innovation and maintaining listener trust remains crucial.

Live 95.5, a radio station in Portland, Oregon, has announced that it will feature an AI-powered clone of its midday host, Ashley Elzinga, called “AI Ashley.” Utilizing Futuri Media’s “RadioGPT,” which leverages GPT-4 technology, the station will generate a script based on trending news and have it read by a synthetic voice.

The station clarified that AI Ashley will not entirely replace traditional Ashley, alleviating concerns among local DJs. In recent years, radio stations have reduced broadcasts due to rising costs or to embrace technologies like AI. In 2020, iHeartMedia underwent a restructuring, leading to layoffs and investments in artificial intelligence.

Alpha Media, Live 95.5’s parent company, assured that Elzinga’s job was secure, and her salary would remain unchanged. The station plans to use a hybrid approach, featuring traditional Ashley during some segments and AI Ashley during others. While AI Ashley is on air, traditional Ashley may engage in community activities, manage social media posts, or work on digital assets.

To address potential listener concerns, Live 95.5 trained the AI to mimic the voice of an existing radio host already familiar to the audience. Although the synthetic voice clearly distinguishes itself as AI Ashley, some Twitter users expressed disappointment and deemed the AI disrespectful to the radio profession.

While Live 95.5 is among the first radio stations to adopt RadioGPT, it won’t be the last. Alpha Media’s KUFO Freedom 970, another Portland-based radio station, will also utilize the AI technology. Alpha Media oversees over 200 radio stations across the United States, positioning itself as the world’s first radio broadcasting company with an AI DJ.

Futuri, the developer of RadioGPT, partnered with Rogers Sports & Media, which owns numerous stations and podcasts in Canada. Concerns about the AI technology mainly revolve around misinformation, but Futuri claims safeguards are in place to prevent the spread of inaccurate or offensive content. A team of human moderators reviews and edits the generated scripts, ensuring accuracy before they are broadcasted.

While AI-powered DJs are gaining traction in the radio industry, striking a balance between technological innovation and maintaining listener trust remains crucial.