WRD2026-The Invisible Assistant

You’re wrong if you think radio ever stayed the same.

It never did. It just evolved without the fanfare.

Vinyl became carts. Carts became automation. Automation became data-driven systems. One signal fractured into thousands of personalized streams. Each transition stripped away friction so we could double down on what actually matters: editorial judgment, audience trust, and compelling storytelling.

AI isn’t here to replace us. It’s just the next tool in a long line of invisible assistants.

Here’s what 2026 looks like: broadcasts aren’t static anymore. They’re assembled on the fly, shaped by context, location, listener behavior, and real-time need.

This year’s hashtag#WorldRadioDay theme is Radio and AI, and in my upcoming posts, I’ll be breaking down what I’ve learned over the years about technology adoption, governance structures, the tough calls faced, and real use cases where radio professionals kept public trust intact while putting AI to work.
Till then, lets revisit the timeline I shared below.