First AI radio show starts in Lucerne, Switzerland
In Lucerne, a radio station has introduced a groundbreaking development by appointing an AI as a radio show host. Unlike the common stories we hear about AI chatbots progressing from not recognizing simple objects like bananas to crafting interesting, albeit not entirely original, content, we might not have expected artificial intelligence to take on roles that require personality. However, at Radio Lozärn in Lucerne, “Mike” is making history as Switzerland’s first AI radio host.
Meet Mike: The AI Radio Host
Mike, with his flawless high German and a voice that is pleasingly not monotone, might deceive you into thinking he is a human presenter. Yet, he is made up of energy and algorithms, appearing on the internet and DAB+. In his show, Mike introduces songs three times an hour and will soon expand his role to presenting news and weather. While the schedule is still crafted for him, all the information about songs, news, and the forecast comes directly from the AI.
Mixed Reactions to Mike’s Show
Radio Lozärn founder Roger Givel shared with 20 Minuten that Mike underwent two months of off-air training before going live, and the audience finds the concept “very cool.” He emphasized the need to embrace new developments, saying, “You would have to listen extremely carefully to recognize that it is an AI.”
Skepticism Among Swiss Radio Stations
However, not all radio stations share Radio Lozärn’s enthusiasm. Ilaya Zeyrek from Radio 3FACH in Lucerne believes that while AI has its merits, it doesn’t belong on the microphone in radio. She explained, “Radio is one of the most personal and authentic mediums because of the ‘long-distance relationship’ between the moderator and the listener. This is where AI clearly fails.” Somera Boesch from CH Media, which owns various regional radio stations and news outlets, shares a similar sentiment, asserting that the closeness, authenticity, and credibility of human presenters are indispensable. She acknowledged the usefulness of AI in other aspects, such as preparing programs or producing commercials, but emphasized that AI moderation cannot achieve the personal connection listeners expect.
AI Finds Its Place in Other Media Uses
Despite these reservations, Boesch mentioned that CH Media outlets are finding success in using AI for program preparation and commercial production. However, she concluded by acknowledging the persistent challenge AI faces with the Swiss dialect, emphasizing that mastering the local language remains a hurdle for artificial intelligence.
