Alpha Media’s KBFF(FM) is one of the first radio stations to trial Futuri Media’s artificial intelligence software RadioGPT. The Portland, Ore., station has integrated an AI/synthetic version of its current midday host, Ashley Elzinga, to “bring a new style of content to their listeners,” according to KBFF.
KBFF/Live 95.5 Content Director Dylan Salisbury said he is “ecstatic” to see this AI technology come to life.
“We have been working hard to ensure that AI Ashley is just as live, local, engaging and entertaining as the traditional version, and I can’t wait for our fans to hear both versions of Ashley in action,” Salisbury said in a company press release.
The artificial intelligence version of Elzinga — dubbed “AI Ashley” — also had a message to share.
“I am honored to be at the forefront of this evolved version of radio broadcasting,” said AI Ashley, quoted in the press release. “As the world’s first AI DJ, I will fully embrace the power of synthetic voice software and artificial intelligence; in doing so, I can ensure that my audience has a compelling listening experience.”
We made history as the world's first radio station with an AI DJ! Our midday host Ashley has become AI Ashley! We can’t wait for you to meet Ashley, the world's first artificially intelligent DJ. As to the intelligence of our other DJ’s…we’ll save that for another post 😉 pic.twitter.com/CtlMhYU0IO
— Live 95.5 (@live955) June 13, 2023
Alpha Media EVP of Content, Phil Becker, said integrating AI versions of hosts into their programming will “improve processes and optimize the use of our talent.”
“Adding AI to operations will allow us to be more agile than ever,” said Becker. “Radio GPT allows us to showcase our content creators in more instances, with more frequency, and curate more timely, topical and robust information for Alpha audiences and clients than previously possible.”
RadioGPT combines GPT-3 technology with TopicPulse — Futuri’s AI-based discovery and social content system — and AI voice tech to provide localized content for any market or format.
According to a Futuri press release, the TopicPulse technology scans Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more than 250,000 other sources of news and information, to identify which topics are trending in a local market. Then, using the GPT-4 technology, RadioGPT creates a script for on-air use, and AI voices turn that script into audio.
Listeners interested in hearing AI Ashley in action can tune in to Live 95.5 on any smart speaker location from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (PDT).
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