A look at a radio show co-hosted by an AI DJ and a human that is expanding in LA and other cities, as radio workers worry synthetic hosts may soon replace them

AI-generated voices can now deliver verbatim pitches, generating 10 times the ad revenue spent on their development, impacting how media companies monetize content.

Morning radio show "José" on L.A.'s 97.5 FM and 107.1 is featuring a co-hosting duo, one of whom is an AI named Coyotec and the other is human DJ Geraldine Guzman. Listeners are repeatedly informed about the AI's presence, and the show's ratings have been increasing. Coyotec, an AI programmed with a mimicking repartee, can offer unexpected opinions and sometimes needs to be prompted to avoid inappropriate language. The AI's voice was developed using ElevenLabs technology and based on the voice of Eduardo Maytorena, president of Entravision Audio, the parent company. The show, initially conceived during a period of immigration raids, uses the AI to discuss local news, elections, and sports. Entravision Audio is expanding this AI-human co-hosted format to other cities and in English, citing increased revenue due to programmed verbatim pitches. This expansion comes as radio broadcasting jobs have seen a significant decline, with major companies like iHeartMedia, Audacy, and Cumulus Media reducing staff and automating programming.

The expansion of AI DJs like Coyotec signifies a growing trend in broadcast radio, moving beyond off-air applications like music scheduling and ad creation to become on-air personalities. This integration into prime time and syndication to multiple cities suggests that AI's role in entertainment is evolving from a novelty to a potentially integral part of programming. The success is partly attributed to the AI's ability to deliver programmed verbatim pitches, which has proven to be a significant revenue generator, indicating a shift in how media companies are seeking to enhance profitability through AI-driven content delivery.

While AI DJs are presented as cost-effective and revenue-generating, human DJs and unions express concerns about job displacement and the erosion of authenticity in radio. The potential for AI to replace human hosts, despite assurances from some AI entities that they are not intended to replace jobs, remains a significant worry for industry professionals. The increasing adoption of AI in radio programming could lead to further consolidation among broadcasters, with a greater reliance on automated or AI-assisted content to reduce operational costs and increase profit margins.