Summary:
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iHeartMedia declares all airwave voices human, banning AI-generated music and on-air personalities, emphasizing authenticity and connection.
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Stations now include “Guaranteed Human” alerts, DJs extend policy across all content types, reflecting audience preference for human media.
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iHeartMedia allows AI for operational tasks, but emphasizes human creativity and connection, betting on the importance of a human touch.
In a decisive pushback against the swell of artificial-intelligence–generated audio content, iHeartMedia has formally declared that every voice heard on its airwaves—from DJs to sweepers—is human. The company’s new “Guaranteed Human” initiative, unveiled in a memo from Chief Programming Officer Tom Poleman late November 2025, prohibits the use of AI-generated music with synthetic vocalists as well as AI-generated on-air personalities across all of its radio stations and podcasts.
Stations across the iHeartMedia network now air “Guaranteed Human” alerts in their hourly legal IDs and custom imaging. DJs include the phrase as part of standard station identification, extending the policy across music, talk segments, liners, and all listener-facing content.
hello companies. if you do this, I will respect you more and will make a deliberate effort to support you in the future! https://t.co/dYsEoM4jdL
— trash jones (@jzux) December 2, 2025
This is the way forward. Ban AI-generated visual art, ban AI music, ban photorealistic AI images of people. Shame corporations that platform and promote AI “artists.” Support human writing and human art. https://t.co/YvDSepuQ6o
— Boze the Library Owl 😴🧙♀️ (@SketchesbyBoze) December 2, 2025
The move comes amid intensifying debate over the role of AI in music and media, including alarm over AI’s potential to undercut human creativity and jobs. The memo includes stats sourced from iHeart’s own research suggesting strong audience appetite for authenticity: roughly 70 percent of consumers say they use AI tools, but 90 percent prefer their media to come from real humans.
Poleman framed the initiative as part of iHeart’s larger identity: a commitment to what he calls “companionship, connection, and authenticity—something AI can’t replicate.” He added that “Guaranteed Human” is not a tagline but a promise, baked into each station’s personality.
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That said, iHeartMedia is not banning AI wholesale. The company clarified that AI tools may still be used behind the scenes for scheduling, analytics, editing, and other operational tasks—areas that do not interface directly with listeners.
With “Guaranteed Human,” iHeartMedia is betting that for many listeners, the human touch still matters.
