A six-hour experiment using an AI-generated radio presenter has prompted Belgian broadcaster TOPradio to reflect on where the technology currently fits within radio production and where it still falls short. TOPradio is a commercial radio broadcaster in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium. The station broadcasts nationally on DAB+ and also distributes its services online.
The test took place during TOPradio’s “TOPibiza 100” show on its TOP2 channel, carried on DAB+ and online on Friday, May 14, from noon to 6 p.m. The program was hosted by an AI-generated presenter voice under the name Annelies Impe — a name the station appears to have created as a reference to the initials A.I. TOPradio used the opportunity to collect audience feedback and evaluate whether AI could support presentation duties during overnight programming instead of relying on non-stop music.
Initial responses suggested many listeners did not immediately notice the difference between the AI presentation and a traditional radio show. However, some listeners reported a lack of spontaneity, personality and human warmth. The broadcaster said the exercise was intended to explore both the technical capabilities and audience acceptance of AI presentation.
Belgium’s radio market has become increasingly active in testing AI tools across production and content workflows, although fully AI-presented programming remains relatively limited. Stephan Vanden Berghe, station manager with TOPradio, said the experiment reflected both the progress and limitations of current technology. He said the station’s findings suggest that creating a natural-sounding Flemish AI presenter remains challenging.
Less recognizable and less credible
“It was quite an interesting experiment, confirming the rapid growth of AI technology,” Vanden Berghe said. “At the same time, there’s still quite some work ahead to make a Flemish-speaking AI voice sound natural and human. The consistency of the voice remains a challenge — we noted subtle tone-of-voice differences, making the presentation less recognizable and less credible than with a live radio presenter.”
We’re looking back on a successful test and plan future experiments
Stephan Vanden Berghe, TOPradio station manager
Vanden Berghe said the test reinforced the idea that successful radio presentation involves more than delivering words. He said warmth, emotion, timing, spontaneity and personality remain difficult to reproduce with current AI systems. He added that while AI replacing DJs is not imminent, the technology appears increasingly suited to applications such as commercial production.
“Radio remains a human medium, and precisely that human touch is one of radio’s strengths,” Vanden Berghe said. “I gather AI replacing DJs is not for tomorrow, but the technology is improving for use in commercials.”
According to Vanden Berghe, the AI presentation also showed consistency issues over longer speech renders, where subtle pronunciation differences became more noticeable. He said listeners could detect those variations despite the voice maintaining a distinctly Flemish character rather than sounding Dutch. TOPradio said the findings will help guide future experimentation.
The experiment forms part of TOPradio’s broader exploration of AI applications across media workflows. The broadcaster said it already uses AI in graphical production, online content and web-related processes. “We’re looking back on a successful test and plan future experiments. We plan to use the learnings of the test-project to closely follow the further technological evolution in radio and media,” concluded Vanden Berghe.
These stories might interest you
Belgium: Studio 100 and Radio 2 to stage nostalgic musical
