A.I. vs. AM/FM: Podcasting Driven from Data is the Future
When many people think about artificial intelligence, visions of futuristic robots and life-like droids come to mind. While A.I. might seem like something reserved for sci-fi films and space-age societies, it’s actually become a reality in today’s world. From home speaker systems to the cars we drive every day, the presence of artificial intelligence is expanding at an exciting rate.
You might be surprised to learn that artificial intelligence is even stepping into the arena of broadcasting, configuring customized content based on a wide range of factors. Not only is modern broadcasting expanding into new formats like streaming services and podcasts, but the industry is also beginning to talk about the ways artificial intelligence might bring radio into the future.
Artificial Intelligence is Already Part of Your Online Experiences
Before you assume that you have yet to be affected by A.I. technology, ask yourself this: do you use sites and platforms like Netflix, Twitter, Google, Amazon, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram? If the answer is yes, then you’ve absolutely interacted with content that A.I. has personally selected for you.
Most mainstream services use a complex combination of data to optimize the content that’s put in front of each user, aiming to present content that’s ideally suited to your interests. Using an array of collected data and high-tech machine-learning methods, the platform implements an algorithm that makes it possible to effectively recommend relevant content. Anytime you see suggested content, including videos, articles, and advertisements, it’s highly likely that artificial intelligence is behind that recommendation – and odds are, the content is a fairly good fit for your personal interests.
Up until now, artificial intelligence has had its limits. For example, if two users receive the same news article recommendation, once they click on the article, they will be reading the same thing and experiencing the same content. The focus of the A.I. system is to simply help you arrive at content, and the process generally ends there. However, new advancements in artificial intelligence and how it’s used, are about to change everything.
“Smart” Content Specifically Designed for You
One of the most promising elements of the future of A.I. is in the creation of “smart content.” Theoretically, smart content will provide a personalized experience that is shaped by the user that is seeing, reading, watching, or listening to the content. It’s not just the recommendation that is tailored for you, but also the content itself.
In terms of podcasting and other broadcasting formats, smart content may be able to pave the way for fluid, highly customizable user experiences. For example, imagine you are listening to a podcast that focuses on the latest releases in film and television. Based on your specific interests, location, and other factors, A.I. could adapt the podcast content to better suit you. If you’re specifically interested in romantic comedies, the podcast episode you hear might hone in on the top rom-com coming out that weekend. On the other hand, if a fellow listener prefers horror films, the same podcast might sound completely different, discussing the scariest movies hitting theaters in the near future.
Here’s another example: Say you’re in the middle of a podcast episode about the history of cinema, listening to the hosts talk about their favorite directors of the 20th century. Based on data collection, artificial intelligence can determine that you might know more about certain directors, and less about others. In order to help you understand the discussion, a short piece of background information might be inserted into your listening experience, giving you the knowledge you need to keep up with the podcasters.
The first question many people ask about A.I. in broadcasting is simply, how will it work? While the specifics remain to be seen, most experts predict that content creators will shift into creating “modules” of content, which can be used as versatile building blocks to create final products that are as unique as each user. For anyone interested in a career in broadcasting, this concept opens up an exciting new future for creativity and virtually endless potential for creation.
A.I. vs. AM vs. FM: Who Will Win?
Even though it seems like the natural progression of broadcasting technology will pit current formats against each other in a battle to the death, many experts believe that the end result will actually be a harmonious melding that ends up greatly benefiting the consumer. Instead of artificial intelligence completely eliminating AM/FM radio, it’s looking more and more likely that A.I. will instead serve as an enhancement to the world of broadcasting.
Broadcast radio has already shown to be extremely adaptable to modern technology, successfully riding the wave of new trends like streaming content. For example, streaming platforms like Spotify and Pandora could have easily poached broadcast radio listeners, tempting them with convenience and the anywhere, anytime access you gain with smartphone and desktop apps. However, old-school radio proved itself to be a formidable opponent, expanding into the streaming market with platforms like iHeartRadio. Now, listeners can access their favorite live radio stations and hear their beloved DJs using an app-based platform, making it easy to tune in at work, at home, in the car, and virtually anywhere else.
Much like radio demonstrated its ability to take advantage of streaming technology rather than be destroyed by it, it’s possible that the industry will also innovate smart, effective ways to make artificial intelligence work in its favor. When you consider what the future might hold for radio, should it incorporate A.I., the possibilities are endless. Imagine your streaming radio app offering not just live radio, but also being able to tailor that content in a way that serves each listener’s interests, background, and other factors – that reality may not be as far-off in the future as you think.
Be Part of the Future of Broadcasting with an Education from The Media Schools, located in Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, and Miami
For many people interested in a career in broadcasting, cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence promises a future that’s more exciting than ever. There are countless ways to plot a career in the field of broadcasting, whether your interests lie in the creative, technical, or even managerial aspects of radio. No matter what route you choose to take, starting with a high-quality education from an excellent media school can be key in helping you break into the competitive industry. At the Media Schools, located in Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, and Miami, our radio broadcasting students participate in a hands-on learning environment that combines solid course content with practical skills, preparing them for a successful career in radio. Here, you can also find industry internships that make it possible to explore your specific interest areas, such as podcasting, niche markets, and so much more. Ultimately, the goal of the Media Schools, located in Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, and Miami is to provide our students with an excellent education that helps them begin the media career they’ve always dreamed of. Get a jumpstart and find your place in the future of radio by applying to the Media Schools, located in Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, and Miami today.