Your Mic. Your Move.

Artificial intelligence. It’s not the future. It’s here. It’s awesome and scary all at once. Then again, years ago, the idea of connecting a computer to this thing called the internet was supposed to disrupt everything so badly that the world might fall apart. Now look at us—we can’t walk around without a powerful computer stuffed in our back pocket, connected 24/7.

I’m not going to throw a bunch of statistics at you, but let’s be honest: companies like Amazon didn’t single-handedly shut down the corner store. Bad decisions and lack of vision usually lead to a company’s demise. Sometimes it’s complacency—thinking, “this will never take off, we’ll be fine.” Other times, they’re simply too late to the party, failing to give consumers what they want, the way they want it.

Yes, the landscape has changed. But corner bookshops and coffee shops still exist all over the world, thriving by giving people what they want while creating emotional connections and unique vibes. Those same consumers? They shop online too. I do it. I love the local atmosphere—and I also love to click and purchase.

This won’t be the last time I write about AI in broadcast media. That universe is shifting daily. Today’s post is simply here to get you thinking about the future—not to stress you out. No case studies this time. I know it can get overwhelming. But while the subject is deep and complex, there are ways to break it down and take a simple approach. It doesn’t have to feel like doomsday—maybe it’s actually “help on the way.”

Let’s be real: for many of us, ChatGPT has become a reliable virtual friend. I don’t use it to create anything from start to finish (I’m writing this post), but I do use it to organize my thoughts and serve as my ultimate editor. I’m not always the best with spelling or grammar. I know what I want to say, but that first draft? Not always pretty. That’s where AI has been a game-changer for me.

Other times, I use it in place of a traditional Google search—and I often get better, more creative results. It inspires my process. As a freelancer juggling multiple projects, that kind of help is priceless.

Lately, I’ve had several casual conversations with folks in media about AI—specifically about what it could mean for voice talent. And honestly? Some of those chats have felt like déjà vu. Think late '90s and early 2000s, when streaming started gaining traction. I remember a lot of colleagues going into defensive mode—chests puffed out, insisting, “over the air is superior!” Many refused to stream because, well, “we’re RADIO!” Sound familiar?

Not all of us felt that way. I saw streaming as a game-changer in the best way. Suddenly, people could listen to my station in buildings with lousy FM reception. No boombox at your desk? No problem. I was pumped. I’ve always said, “I don’t care how you listen—just listen and remember my brand!”

So why does today’s AI conversation feel familiar? Because, once again, a lot of people are going straight into defensive mode. “AI is bad! It’s going to ruin everything!” Is it? Sure, there will be challenges—and probably some poor decisions by leadership—but most of the panic I’m hearing is coming from talent.

That, my friends, has more to do with your attitude and choices than you might think.

Do I believe AI presenters will take over the airwaves tomorrow and put us all out of work? No. Do we have control over whether our organizations use AI to reduce overhead? Probably not. We’ve already seen downsizing through cross-market voice tracking. AI just takes that idea further—maybe it’s a cloned voice or AI character handling overnights instead of a fifth station on someone’s plate.

So what can you do? Up your game. Even if you’re a busy voice tracker for multiple brands, ask yourself: “What makes me special? What makes me better than an AI presenter?”

Lately, when I ask that in conversations, the number one answer I get is… “I’m local.”

Cue my giant sigh.

Okay, great. You’re local. And?

Here’s the thing—and yes, this may ruffle some feathers: many shows and stations that claim to be local really aren’t. The phrase “live and local” gets tossed around in imaging and branding, but the actual content says otherwise. Sure, the show might be live (or tracked) from a studio within the signal area, but that doesn’t make it local.

If you’re pulling bits from a prep service, reading one live promo an hour, or just intro’ing music, there’s nothing “local” about that. And sadly, that’s how hundreds of shows are handled across the U.S. every single day.

If your best break yesterday was a TMZ gossip story you laughed at over a song ramp… I hate to say it, but as a talent, you’re vulnerable.

So how do you become hard to replace? Make emotional connections—every time you crack the mic. Bond with your audience. For real. On a deep level. Emotion is the keyword here.

AI hasn’t nailed that yet. Not really. Sure, you can make an AI voice or chatbot sound kind of empathetic, but it’s still a far cry from real human connection. People feel the difference. You have to be emotionally vulnerable behind the mic.

Here’s the headline: Don’t make it easy for AI to do what you do.

Change is coming whether we like it or not—but talent still has a say in writing the next chapter. If you’re a producer, a team lead, or a program director, it’s on you to set your team up for success. Maybe it’s time to schedule more one-on-one sessions. Maybe it’s time to reevaluate what “local” really means in your market.

It’s not too late to be part of what’s next. But there’s no time to sit and ponder. Take action now.

If you’re behind the mic, pause. Go break by break. Ask yourself: “Where am I throwing away opportunities to truly connect?”

Maya Angelou said it best:

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

You’re human. You have feelings. So does your audience. Isn’t it time we rebuilt a truly supportive community with our audio brands?

Make it about them. You’ll be remembered for it.

Feeling stuck on where to begin? Reach out. Let’s talk it through.