How far are we from AI hosted podcasts, and will there be a demand for them?

I’ve nearly lost my job as a radio presenter several times. Nearly. I’m lucky enough to have either kept my role during cuts or got a bigger show. I’m very proud of that but always felt a bit guilty, and sad of course, for those who weren’t so fortunate. 

Most broadcasting cuts in recent years are down to OFCOM relaxing its regional rules, essentially nationalising a lot of the regional licences. This has meant fewer shows broadcasting to much larger swathes of the country and an end to locally produced shows. Ultimately meaning a big reduction in the number of people needed to fill the schedule. 

So, what’s coming next for my job?

AI.

Or is it?

A friend recently sent me a song about me, written about my hobbies. It was funny and actually quite catchy too. If he’d actually written and sung this song it would’ve been incredibly impressive, probably the kind of thing you’d talk about for years. But it was AI. He just put a couple sentences into a clever AI powered bit of software and it created this song. It was funny for a few minutes, at best, and the conversation moved on. I listened to it once.

I think we feel the same about AI art, or AI photos. It’s impressive on occasion, but because it’s not human, we don’t care about it in the same way at all. Impressive or funny for a few minutes at best and we move on. 

Will AI hosted podcasts become common?

In podcasting we can learn a lot from this. Firstly, I don’t think we’ll see AI’s hosting podcasts, or being guests on them, or if we do, I don’t really see them being successful. We want a human touch; sounding human and being human are two very different things. I think we will see AI voiceovers in the adverts on your podcast, but you can get away with that. We care less about the human element when someone is selling to us - look at automated checkout or ordering a car to your door. 

Wired headphones are back. Cars with analogue dashboards are going up in value. The next generation wants authenticity and simplicity more than ever before. We see this in video content now. Shiny over produced content just isn’t landing the same as something that people know is genuine and real, and sometimes being a little less than perfect is alright, because it can be more compelling. Wouldn’t you rather see the hand written chalk board cafe menu, complete with smudges and slightly squint lines than an AI generated menu?

Lean into what makes you unique

So we must go all in on our USP, being human. Even Elon Musk admits the only thing an AI won’t be as good as us at, is being human. Tell your real-life stories that capture attention, create that relationship with your listener than an AI never could, be you, and people want more of that in today’s world. And tomorrow’s, too.

If you require some guidance in putting together a really well thought out podcast that will help tell your personal, real life story, then get in touch.