‘Unreal’ DJ sparks concern
Do you think you know all about your favourite media personality? You may be in for a surprise!
For many Australians, the voice coming from their radio represents a reliable source of information, entertainment, and companionship.
For some of us, radio announcers seem like part of the family – especially those who freely share their personal stories about life’s funny, unusual, or instructive moments.
During natural disasters, big national events, or times of mourning, they have been a comforting presence in our lives.
Those who’ve achieved the heights of success in radio have done so because they’ve made a real connection with their audience. It’s often, but not always, a positive influence. Some announcers have achieved fame and fortune by being divisive figures.
But, if you love to love them, or love to hate them, it’s the palpability of their presence in our homes, headphones, and cars that have made them essential listening.
So, what if I were to tell you that your favourite DJ may not be real?
If you think that’s far-fetched, then you’ll be surprised to learn that one western Sydney station used an AI-generated voice, named “Thy”, as an on-air host for many months without anybody knowing.
This development, brought to light by Stephanie Coombes, a former employee of media company ARN, has sparked concerns about transparency and the potential for misleading audiences.
The fact that ARN-owned music station CADA had “employed” Thy for so long before it was rumbled has raised serious questions about the radio industry’s ethical responsibilities to its listeners.
Technology journalist, Stephen Fenech, said ARN had a responsibility to be more transparent, so audiences are aware they are not listening to a real person.
According to Fenech, the use of artificial intelligence in this capacity is “a bridge too far”, suggesting it crosses an ethical boundary.
The lack of disclosure surrounding Thy contrasts sharply with the approach taken by the now-defunct Disrupt Radio when it introduced an AI newsreader, “Debbie Disrupt”, two years go.
Disrupt Radio CEO, Benjamin Roberts, openly acknowledged Debbie’s artificial nature from the outset, highlighting the importance of honesty with the audience.
A crucial aspect of radio’s appeal, as noted by media analyst and Unmade blogger, Tim Burrowes, is its claim to be “live and local”. The introduction of AI hosts directly challenges this fundamental proposition, blurring the lines between genuine human connection and synthetic simulation.
While there is already an element of pre-recording and editing in radio, the complete replacement of a human voice with an AI raises the stakes significantly, Burrowes said.
Fenech also noted that this technology could come “at the expense of jobs”. While AI might offer cost-effective solutions for broadcasters, the potential impact on human presenters and the broader radio industry warrants careful consideration, he said.
The reality is that AI tools are widely used in the media and other organisations, but generally with human instruction and oversight.
As audiences we can’t hold back the forces of technology, but we do need to be aware that it exists and what that might mean to us.
Related reading: Unmade, Radio Today
