What a year! In 2024, rapid advancements in AI reshaped content creation, audience engagement, and operational efficiency, presenting both opportunities and challenges for broadcasters. Major AI platforms launched transformative updates: OpenAI’s GPT-4o reduced inaccuracies and became freely accessible; Google released two updates to Gemini; and Meta and X introduced new tools. These developments expanded options for […]

It was mid-February this year when OpenAI previewed Sora, their text-to-video AI engine.  The examples were jaw-dropping,  but there were unresolved safety issues. Only a week after OpenAI’s announcement, Google decided to pull back their text-to-image AI engine after it created historically inaccurate images, spurring a public outcry.  AI companies got gunshy. OpenAI spent ten months fine-tuning […]

Last week, Sam Altman of OpenAI announced a radio-esque promotion with the “12 Days of OpenAI.”  After being pretty quiet over the last couple months, the AI giant started making one new product announcement per day.  The announcements will continue every weekday until the Friday before Christmas. The biggest announcement so far has been the release […]

In a recent CNBC interview, Ben Affleck does a deep dive on AI.  Many of his viewpoints echo many of ours: AI is disruptive, but it also has the potential to save time and could potentially create new revenue streams. He asserts that AI cannot replicate the nuanced artistry of human actors or the creative genius of […]

AI is continuing to shake things up, pushing boundaries and igniting debates. Apple and Baidu are diving into smart glasses, OpenAI’s SearchGPT is gunning for Google, and Meta’s AI-powered news partnerships are stirring the pot. On the creative front, Universal bets on “ethical” AI music while the Beatles snag a groundbreaking AI-assisted Grammy nod. But […]

Americans have a genuine concern about identifying AI in the media they consume. In a conversation I had with a radio colleague this week, she succinctly defined the users’ quandary by explaining we want to know not only what we can trust, but also in which messages we can emotionally invest. Or, in other words, “Don’t […]

It was inevitable.  Earlier this week Fred Jacobs tipped me off to a streaming radio station where all of the content is created by AI. Every song, every production element in the stream was created by an engine like Suno.AI or Udio. After listening for a while, it’s apparent that even though the content was all newly-created AI-audio, the songs and overall […]

This week, Basis, the Chicago-based demand-side ad platform, released results of a survey of 140+ marketers’ opinions on the impact of AI on their work. The results mirrored those of the Marketing AI Institute’s, which was released in early August.  Marketers are using AI a little now, but plan on using it a lot in the next 18-36 months. 46% of marketers in the […]

This week was Meta’s Connect 202, where the owner of Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Threads hosted a show-and-tell with the tech press. What makes Meta so important in the AI conversation is the company’s reach and its strategy. Meta’s reach of over 3 billion users worldwide across five of the world’s most-used communications platforms means […]

The leaps and bounds that AI platforms have made in the last year is breathtaking. Generative text and generative voice are crossing the “uncanny valley” and close to becoming indistinguishable from non-AI-assisted work. Take for instance a new tool from Google Labs, Notebook LM. This tool, tagged as a virtual research assistant, is designed to help students […]

On Monday, James Earl Jones died. Among the many roles he played over a six-decade career, his voice became synonymous with Darth Vader from the Star Wars franchise. But Jones’ voice as Darth Vader will live on. Several years ago, the EGOT winner made an agreement with Skywalker Studios to recreate his baritone for future Star Wars […]

Welcome to the new season!  We can look forward to great football, a new school-year, new TV shows, and — this year — big AI announcements. On the calendar, we’ll be paying attention to: * September 10 – Apple Event with iPhone 16 and Apple Intelligence updates * September 16 – Microsoft Next Phase of […]

Let’s take a pause from our normal format. Below are ten really creative videos that posted recently across Reddit, X, and other platforms. All were created using one or more of the newest AI platforms. Hope you enjoy. Muppets Rap ala Beastie Boys Tools: ChatGPT, Suno, Midjourney, RunwayML Watch The Fast and the Furryous Tools: Midjourney, RunwayML, Luma, Leonardo, […]

Research is coming out fast and furious about workers in media-related industries actively integrating AI into their regular work routines. A University of Chicago study published recently surveyed 100,000 workers across multiple industries and job titles.  Two of the three most likely to use AI at work?  Journalists and marketers. [click for larger view] As Fred, Paul, and I […]

One of the many things Americans fear about AI is the threat it could have in politics. In this year’s Jacobs Media Techsurvey of 30,000+ radio listeners, 83% are somewhat or largely concerned about “AI and its potential to influence the 2024 elections.”  It was one of the most universal opinions expressed in this year’s survey. […]

We’re witnessing a major shift in users’ knowledge and understanding of AI. Results from the Jacobs Media Techsurvey 2024 earlier this year showed that only 43% of radio listeners were unfamiliar with the technology. Seventy percent of listeners across the board—from Gen Z to Boomers—agreed that the rise of AI was cause for alarm. In the six months […]

The stories of AI adoption come from companies of all regions and markets large and small. But just because there’s a mandate to use AI doesn’t mean it’s going to be successful.  This month Goldman Sachs announced that AI is overhyped and too expensive and Chevron’s CIO proclaimed he didn’t think AI would save the […]

Last week our general manager Paul Jacobs asked everyone in our office to envision what the ideal radio station looks like in 2030 — if it’s built from the ground up. It’s a tough challenge for most of us who spend our waking lives constantly juggling daily industry news, monthly ratings, and quarterly budgets. The challenge is […]

When we were walking the halls of CES this January, we came upon a great display from Ray-Ban.  They were showcasing a re-imagined pair of glasses that utilizes AI and had other features like audio integration and cameras. Seeing how new technology like smart speakers have changed radio consumption, I was curious in particular how […]

This week has been packed with stories about innovative tools and creative outputs being developed with AI models. Intertwined with copyright controversies and fears of privacy and job loss, we are witnessing real advancements in how AI customizes content for users and enhances ad creativity for good causes. Dive in to discover how AI is […]