The first ever AI-powered DJ has officially made his on-air debut.
Alpha Media’s KBFF Live 95.5 FM in Portland, Oregon became the first radio station to put an AI-generated disc jockey on the radio. The station announced Tuesday that it will use Futuri Media’s RadioGPT software to air an AI/composite version of host Ashley Elzinga.
In a series of videos, the real Ashley Elzinga demonstrated how AI Ashley sounds like her. AI Ashley was able to interact with listeners and callers, and was even able to gift one lucky listener a ticket to Taylor’s Swift. After showing off her abilities to her AI girlfriend Ashley, the real Ashley joked, “I think I’m off today.”
Made history as the world’s first radio station with AI DJ. Daytime host Ashley has become AI Ashley! We look forward to meeting Ashley, the world’s first AI DJ. As for the intelligence of other DJs… that’s for another post 😉 pic.twitter.com/CtlMhYU0IO
— Live 95.5 (@live955) June 13, 2023
But Alpha Media’s vice president of content, Phil Becker, assured listeners that Elzinga’s job was safe and would receive the same pay, and AI Ashley allowed DJs to multitask like never before. He told TechCrunch that it is a tool to
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“It’s a hybrid situation where some segments turn on the traditional Ashley and others turn on the AI Ashley,” Becker explained to the media. “When AI Ashley broadcasts, traditional Ashleys may do something in the community, moderate social posts, or work on digital assets and other elements that come with their job.”
Becker insisted the station wanted to be transparent with listeners about the addition of AI Ashley, saying, “It’s not our intention to deceive anyone.”
According to Tech Crunch, people can listen to AI Ashley on Live 95.5 every day from 10am to 3pm.
