The robots are already replacing humans, at least part-time, at one Portland radio station.<\/p>\n
Live 95.5, a station that plays Top 40 music, is using voice cloning software and artificial intelligence to create \u201cAI Ashley,\u201d who is taking over the duties, sometimes, of traditional DJ \u201cAshley Z.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Dylan Salisbury, content director for Live 95.5, the station is using Futuri\u2019s artificial intelligence software to voice clone Ashley Z\u2019s voice. At this point, the station is controlling what AI Ashley, who is now a midday host, does, Salisbury said.<\/p>\n
However, he noted, there\u2019s a feature the station is considering implementing, \u201cwhere A.I. Ashley goes \u2018rogue\u2019 and picks what she wants, not what the station tells her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment, we are controlling what she says,\u201d Salisbury said. \u201cEventually, with very little guidance, it\u2019ll be able to come up with content on its own.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, how does non-robot Ashley feel about the new, non-eating, non-sleeping, non-salary-requiring version of herself?<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel good about it because she\u2019s not replacing Ashley Z., she\u2019s just adding to the many creative ways I\u2019m able to entertain people on the radio, which is what I love to do,\u201d real Ashley Z. said in a statement sent by Live 95.5.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure it\u2019s a little surreal,\u201d she added. \u201cBut I\u2019m excited to be at the forefront of this advancement to our industry with people who understand the importance of respecting and maximizing talent, and who want to use it for good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the end of the day,\u201d non-robot Ashley concluded, \u201cwe all love radio and want to see it thrive. A cool opportunity presented itself, so why not say yes and see what an AI version of me is able to accomplish as I continue to work right alongside it?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We made history as the world’s first radio station with an AI DJ! Our midday host Ashley has become AI Ashley! We can\u2019t wait for you to meet Ashley, the world’s first artificially intelligent DJ. As to the intelligence of our other DJ\u2019s\u2026 we\u2019ll save that for another post \ud83d\ude09 pic.twitter.com\/CtlMhYU0IO<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Live 95.5 (@live955) June 13, 2023<\/p>\n \u2014 Lizzy Acker<\/p>\n <\/p>\n