Photo Credit: CADA
A Sydney radio station has been using an AI DJ for its morning show for six months without anyone noticing. Doing so was completely legal, as AI use is not a requirement in Australia—yet.
The Australian Radio Network (ARN) Sydney station CADA broadcasts across Sydney and is also available to listen online through iHeart Radio. CADA created an AI host for its ‘Workdays with Thy’ slot, which runs from 11 am to 3 pm. She presents four hours of hip-hop for those listening, but neither CADA nor ARN disclosed that listeners were listening to a AI-generated DJ.
The Carpet newsletter uncovered the tool ARN used to create Thy is called ElevenLabs. Thy’s voice and likeness are borrowed from a real employee who works in the ARN finance team. That’s not so different than Spotify’s attempt at an AI DJ, which borrows its voice from Xavier ‘X’ Jernigan, Spotify’s Head of Cultural Partnerships.
“We’ve been trialing AI audio tools on CADA, using the voice of Thy, an ARN team member,” shares an ARN spokesperson. “This is a space being explored by broadcasters globally and the trial has offered valuable insights.” The spokesperson adds that the experiment has “reinforced the power of real personalities in driving compelling content” for listeners of radio.
Currently there are no specific restrictions on the use of AI in broadcast content, with no obligation to disclose its use at all. Teresa Lim, Vice President of the Australian Association of Voice Actors, says this is an example of why disclosure legislation is needed.
“AI can be such a powerful and positive tool in broadcasting if there are correct safeguards in place,” Lim says. “Authenticity and truth are so important for broadcast media. The public deserves to know what the source is of what’s being broadcast. We need to have these discussions now before AI becomes so advanced that it’s too difficult to regulate.”
Content shared from www.digitalmusicnews.com.