For the 2026 celebration themed “Radio and AI,” UNESCO says Artificial Intelligence offers new opportunities for radio stations. The organisation explains that AI can handle routine tasks such as scheduling programmes, voice-tracking, weather and sports updates, and other administrative duties. This allows broadcasters to focus more on creating quality content that informs, educates and entertains listeners.

UNESCO also notes that AI can help stations better understand their audiences, improve advertising, grow revenue, and provide more personalised listening experiences. It can support fact-checking, verify information, and help broadcasters make better use of archived content — while keeping human judgment at the centre. These efforts, it says, help build and maintain listener trust.

However, UNESCO stresses that radio stations must use AI responsibly. This includes setting clear ethical guidelines, protecting privacy and data, being transparent, handling AI-generated audio carefully, and investing in staff training and security measures.

The organisation says that with the right approach, AI can help modernise radio while preserving its credibility and human connection.