Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a presence in broadcast radio, a medium long defined by its human voices and personalities. Across the United States, radio stations are deploying AI-powered DJs to host shows, automate programming, and perform off-air tasks, a move that has sparked debate among industry professionals and unions concerned about job security and audience trust.

The trend dates back to 2023, when Alpha Media introduced an AI DJ in Portland, Oregon, using a cloned voice of a midday host to cover vacations. Since then, other stations have embraced AI talent: a rock station in Waterloo, Iowa, employs a synthetic DJ named Tori overnight, while Phoenix’s 94.9 The Zone launched a fully AI lineup featuring licensed voice clones of four veteran radio personalities from the 1990s. Meanwhile, Sonictrek.ai offers AI-hosted music radio shows such as Phoebe FM for syndication nationwide. Beyond on-air hosting, AI is used for music scheduling, show prep, and creating monetizable audio ads.

However, these technological advances have drawn pushback from unions like SAG-AFTRA, which represents radio actors and personalities. A spokesperson warned that replacing human DJs with synthetic substitutes risks misleading audiences, eroding trust, and undermining the livelihoods of professionals who provide authentic experiences.

The radio industry has faced ongoing challenges, including declining listenership due to the rise of television, streaming platforms, and podcasts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, radio broadcasting jobs shrank by approximately 22% from 2019 to 2025, falling from 85,000 to 66,000. Major broadcasters such as iHeartMedia, Audacy, and Cumulus Media have laid off staff and increasingly relied on automation and AI to cut costs.

One notable example is José FM in Los Angeles and Burbank, a Spanish-language station that developed an AI DJ named Coyotec. Created using AI voice technology from ElevenLabs based on the voice of station president Eduardo Maytorena, Coyotec was designed during a period of heightened immigration raids when some human hosts were reluctant to speak openly. The AI character—a persona combining “coyote” and “technology” — is portrayed as a working-class Latino man and brands itself as a “trafficker of truth,” referencing human smugglers. Coyotec began as a scripted program and has since evolved into a live AI co-host, discussing topics from local elections and baseball to immigration enforcement and Hispanic Heritage Month.

Coyotec’s broadcasts are prepared through segmented recordings, as the AI struggles with conversations longer than 10 minutes. While the character sometimes slips up in adhering strictly to broadcasting regulations, it boasts a confident personality. The station reports a significant increase in Latino male listeners aged 25 to 54, though it remains unclear if the growth is attributable more to Coyotec, human host GeeGee Guzman, or a combination of both. Following its success, the show has moved to weekday prime time and expanded to other markets, including Sacramento, Las Vegas, and El Paso. José FM is also airing an English-language version of the show and recently launched LIA, an AI news anchor, alongside its human television anchors.

Entravision Audio, José FM’s parent company, emphasizes that cost savings are not the primary motive behind AI adoption, noting that creating and maintaining Coyotec is actually more expensive than employing some humans. However, the ability to program precise advertising pitches during broadcasts has proven financially lucrative, with Maytorena estimating a tenfold return on investment.

Despite the apparent benefits, critics caution against overreliance on AI DJs, warning it may dilute the “personal connection” that defines radio’s appeal. Sam Gregory, a synthetic media expert, noted that AI avatars lack embodied knowledge or true investment, and that listeners’ trust is effectively placed in predictive technology rather than genuine human interaction. Veteran DJ John DeSantis, who recently lost his job at an Inland Empire classic rock station amid a shift to all-music formats, rejected the idea that AI could replicate a live host’s authentic connection with audiences.

Meanwhile, broadcasters acknowledge that some listeners remain skeptical. In response, iHeartMedia launched a “Guaranteed Human” on-air campaign to affirm its commitment to live, human personalities.

For her part, Guzman said working with the AI co-host has expanded her reach and opportunities. “Right now it’s grabbing the bull by the horns and making the best out of it,” she said.

When asked about AI’s future in radio and its impact on human jobs, Coyotec responded with a statement expressing concern over potential misuse of AI as a rationale for layoffs. “If a company uses me to justify cutting GeeGee or anybody else doing real work, that’s not progress,” said the AI in an unscripted exchange. “That’s just greed, dressed up like innovation.”