In commemoration of this year’s World Radio Day, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has advocated Artificial Intelligence (AI) support for audience insight.

Proclaimed in 2011 by UNESCO member states and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, World Radio Day is celebrated every February 13.

Themed “Radio and AI,” UNESCO noted radio stands at a moment of transformation where AI could help to strengthen its core mission: informing, educating, and entertaining.

By automating routine tasks, like scheduling, voice-tracking, weather and sports updates, and administrative workflows, the organisation said stations could free teams to focus on creativity and connection.

Specifically, the body said AI would also support deeper audience insights, more relevant advertising, personalised listening experiences, and the amplification of under-represented voices.

UNESCO stated: “With tools that enhance fact-checking, validation, and archival discovery, radio can deliver higher quality content while maintaining human judgment at the centre. These innovations ultimately reinforce what matters most: listener trust.”

Saying AI can drive the next wave of media innovation, the body suggested that in order to use AI responsibly, broadcasters would need a thoughtful strategy rather than just technology, which includes creating ethical internal policies, protecting privacy and data ownership, ensuring transparency, and handling generative audio with care.