In a surprising revelation, Sydney’s prominent radio station CADA has come under intense scrutiny after it was discovered that it had been airing an artificial intelligence-generated radio host, known as "Thy," for the past six months without informing its audience. The program, titled "Workdays with Thy," had been broadcasting weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. since November 2024, presenting a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and pop music, with no indication that the host was anything other than a real person.
Listeners tuning into the program believed they were hearing a human presenter. Thy was introduced and promoted like any other host on CADA's platforms, yet lacked the standard biographical details such as a full name, background information, or active social media presence. These omissions eventually raised suspicions among some keen-eyed listeners and industry observers, leading to the discovery that Thy was not a human presenter but a digital voice created using advanced AI technology.
The voice behind Thy was developed using software from an AI company, with the base voice modeled on a real employee working in the station's finance department. Despite this human inspiration, the radio personality was entirely driven by artificial intelligence, creating playlists, making announcements, and engaging listeners — all without human intervention during the broadcasts.
The revelation has sparked widespread debate and criticism across the Australian media landscape. Many commentators and industry experts have expressed concern over the lack of transparency and the ethical implications of deceiving audiences by presenting AI-generated content as human-hosted programming. Some critics argue that using AI voices, particularly one modeled after a woman of color, without disclosure, undermines genuine diversity efforts in media representation.
Responding to the backlash, CADA’s parent company stated that the use of the AI host was part of a limited trial aimed at exploring the future potential of artificial intelligence in the broadcasting sector. The company emphasized that it values the unique creativity and authenticity brought by human presenters and clarified that it did not intend to replace human talent with AI-generated alternatives.
Currently, Australian media regulations do not require broadcasters to disclose when AI is used in content production, a gap that has fueled further discussions about the need for updated guidelines. Many experts now call for clearer industry standards to ensure transparency, particularly as AI becomes more integrated into mainstream media practices.
The incident also reignited broader debates about artificial intelligence's role in creative industries. While some industry insiders view AI as a valuable tool that can enhance operations and introduce innovation, others worry that it may erode trust between media outlets and their audiences if transparency is not prioritized.
The controversy surrounding CADA's use of an undisclosed AI radio host highlights a pivotal moment for media organizations worldwide. While technological innovation offers exciting opportunities to reshape content delivery, it must be approached with caution and responsibility. Audiences deserve honesty about the nature of the content they consume. As AI continues to evolve, the balance between technological progress and maintaining human authenticity will be critical to preserving the integrity and trust essential to media institutions.