iHeartRadio has made it clear: it won’t be playing AI-generated music or using synthetic voices on its airwaves.
The decision was outlined in a staff memo from Tom Poleman, President of National Programming at iHeartMedia. In the note obtained by Billboard, the company is committed to “authentic human connection,” and that means keeping its talent and music rooted in real creativity.
“We guarantee we’re never playing AI music,” one iHeart host confirmed on-air. “We actually put out a memo this week about it. There won’t be AI music, AI listeners, none of that.”
The policy comes at a time when AI-generated music and digital avatars are gaining traction in the industry. But iHeartRadio isn’t jumping on that trend. Instead, the company is choosing to prioritize content made and voiced by actual people.
The memo also addressed growing concerns about the role of AI in media, especially from listeners and creators alike. iHeartMedia previously conducted a survey revealing that most U.S. audiences still prefer human-made content, and they’re wary of where AI is heading.
While other platforms experiment with bots and digital personalities, iHeart is taking a different route. Whether this stance becomes a long-term standard or simply a short-term statement, it’s a move that sends a clear message: the heart of radio, for now, remains human.
