Steve Goldstein: AI can make podcasts. But can it make anyone care?

"Over one recent nine-day stretch, nearly 40% of new podcasts were likely AI-generated, according to Podcast Index, as reported by Bloomberg. One company alone, Inception Point AI, now claims to have more than 10,000 active shows, with hundreds more appearing almost overnight. This is publishing at industrial scale. The real question is not whether AI can make podcasts. It clearly can. The question is whether people will consume them."

"Across the board, the shows averaged a 2.3 out of 5 rating. That score does not mean the podcasts failed completely. Students recognized strengths. They reported the shows were often structured, efficient, and a handful were useful. Some delivered information clearly. In narrow utility settings - a weather update, a quick explainer, a product summary, AI audio can absolutely serve a purpose."

"But information is not the same thing as experience. Students repeatedly described the shows as robotic, monotone, flat, or like "audio ChatGPT." Most did not feel a connection. Many, but not all, did not want to come back to another episode. One student listened to an AI-generated surf report and essentially said it delivered what was needed, but it was not enjoyable."

"Utility audio solves a task. Great podcasts create attachment. A podcast can inform without earning loyalty, deliver facts without becoming memorable, and function efficiently without giving listeners a rea"

Nearly 40% of new podcasts during a nine-day period were likely AI-generated, and thousands of active AI shows have appeared quickly. AI can produce podcasts at industrial scale, but consumption depends on listener experience. A focus group of students evaluated AI-generated podcasts on topics they already cared about, rating them on a 1-to-5 scale. The average rating was 2.3. Students noted strengths such as structure, efficiency, and occasional usefulness for narrow tasks like weather updates, quick explainers, and product summaries. Many shows were described as robotic, monotone, flat, and lacking connection. Some listeners found utility without enjoyment, and many did not want to return for another episode.

Read at RAIN News