Broadcasters in the Eastern Cape are increasingly exploring responsible artificial intelligence (AI) to drive growth and innovation in the radio sector. Industry leaders say that when applied thoughtfully, AI can enhance content creation, audience engagement, and operational efficiency without compromising ethical standards.
Speaking at a regional media forum, Thabo Mkhize, Director of Programming at Eastern Cape Radio Network, highlighted the transformative potential of AI. “AI is not here to replace broadcasters; it’s a tool to amplify creativity and better connect with listeners,” he said.
Broadcasters are particularly focused on using AI for tasks such as personalising playlists, improving news delivery, and analysing listener data to inform programming decisions. However, there is a strong emphasis on responsible deployment to avoid issues such as bias, misinformation, or undermining local culture.
“Radio is about trust,” noted Nomsa Dlamini, Chief Technology Officer at Radio Eastern Cape. “Our goal is to leverage AI to serve our audience, not to exploit them. Responsible AI ensures that innovation and ethics go hand in hand.”
Industry analysts believe that adopting AI could boost local radio listenership and revenue, especially as younger audiences increasingly expect digital-first, interactive experiences. Several stations in the province have already begun pilot projects integrating AI tools for automated content suggestions and listener engagement analytics.
As the Eastern Cape radio industry embraces AI, broadcasters are calling for training programs, clear ethical guidelines, and collaboration to ensure the technology benefits both stations and communities.
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