CADA’s Hidden AI Host Revealed After Months of On-Air Success
An Australian radio station has come under fire after revealing that its popular DJ, Thy, is not a human host but rather an AI-created personality. CADA, based in Sydney, admitted the truth about the show “Workdays with Thy,” which had been airing for months without disclosing that the host was entirely AI-generated.
The AI DJ, developed using ElevenLabs technology, has been hosting the weekday show since November, entertaining listeners with music from 11 am to 3 pm. Despite the smooth voice and relatable personality of Thy, the station never initially informed its audience that the show was produced by artificial intelligence.
Growing Use of AI in Entertainment Sparks Ethical Debate
According to CADA, Thy’s voice and likeness are based on an actual employee of ARN Media, though the station made it clear that music selection is still curated by human experts. The show, which is billed as playing “the hottest tracks from around the world,” quickly gained a strong following, with 72,000 listeners tuning in by March.
The revelation has caused a stir, as many listeners feel misled by the lack of transparency. While other radio stations, such as Portland’s FBFF Live 95.5, have used AI for hosts like AI Ashley, those stations disclosed their use of artificial intelligence from the outset. CADA, however, kept its AI secret for months, sparking backlash from fans who feel deceived.
This incident highlights a growing trend in the radio industry and broader entertainment sectors, where AI technology is being increasingly used to produce content traditionally created by humans. San Francisco-based ElevenLabs, the company behind the technology, offers advanced tools for text-to-speech, voice cloning, and multilingual dubbing. Their technology has been used in high-profile projects, including voice recreations of iconic figures like Jimmy Stewart, Burt Reynolds, and Jerry Garcia.
As AI continues to advance, its presence in entertainment is expanding beyond music composition to include content creation, voiceovers, and even entire personalities. This shift raises important questions about the future of human hosts and the ethical implications of replacing real personalities with artificial ones.
CADA’s revelation is part of a larger wave of AI adoption in the entertainment industry, as stations like Melbourne’s Disrupt Radio and others experiment with AI-hosted shows. While the technology continues to improve, listeners and industry experts alike are grappling with the balance between innovation and authenticity in today’s media landscape.