World Radio Day

On the occasion of World Radio Day 2026, UNESCO explores how Artificial Intelligence can expand radio’s reach while preserving its cultural and intellectual depth. Through a project led by COPEAM, six episodes of the series "Arab Philosophers – Ancient and Contemporary" were translated and dubbed into Italian using AI-powered tools, with careful academic review to ensure accuracy and sensitivity. The scientific experiment is meant to demonstrate how AI can be used responsibly and in partnership with human expertise. If used responsibly it’s a way that can help public service media reach new audiences, strengthen cultural dialogue, and enhance sustainability across borders. “We should not be ashamed of appreciating the truth and of acquiring it wherever it comes from”. When the Arab philosopher al-Kindi wrote his famous quote in the 9th century, it would not be possible for him to know how Artificial Intelligence (AI) would impact the world 1,200 years later. However, his stat...

In South Sudan, radio remains one of the most important and reliable ways people access information. Across towns and counties, it carries news, public announcements, local conversations, and music in many of the country’s languages. Travelling across the country can be difficult and internet access remains limited, but radio airwaves continue to connect communities in ways few other communications platforms can. This year’s World Radio Day comes at a significant moment. South Sudan continues to navigate the effects of conflict, economic crises, climate shocks, and displacement, even as efforts toward peace and sustainable development move forward. In a country still grappling with conflict, radio plays an important role in promoting peace and encouraging dialogue within and between communities. With national elections scheduled for December 2026, access to accurate and trusted information is increasingly important, enabling citizens to engage meaningfully in a key democratic proce...

Happy WORLD RADIO DAY ! Today we call for  Innovation that empowers. Ethics that inspire and Trust that endures.

Celebrated on 13 February every year, World Radio Day is a unique opportunity for radio stations around the world to showcase their diversity, creativity and ability to contribute to society . For 2026, the theme ‘ Radio and Artificial Intelligence’  opens up a whole new field of discussion, creation and exploration. To make it easier for every radio station to get involved – however big and wherever they are – we've come up with 13 simple, accessible ideas.  Why 13?  Because World Radio Day falls on 13 February, and because it allows each radio station to choose one or more ideas to mark the day in their own way. These ideas can be implemented in two ways: Targeting your listeners : special programmes, reports, debates, street interviews, audio capsules or social media visuals. Targeting your teams  (employees, volunteers, interns): internal reflection, training, improving your practices. Jump to : 1. Augmented Voice 2. Transparency in the use of on-air voices...

  AI is transforming our relationship with the radio voice , from real-time audio transcription and noise reduction to highly realistic synthesized voices At its best, AI makes radio more accessible , enabling captions for deaf and hard of hearing audiences, voice-controlled radios for people who are blind or visually impaired, and AI translation that brings broadcasts into more languages, helping radio reach everyone, everywhere. This transformation is not about replacing the human voice which remains at the heart ofradio. Used responsibly, AI can amplify reach human creativity and inclusion. In line with UNESCO’s ethical framework for artificial intelligence , voice technologies must respect human dignity, people’s consent to be recorded, transparency, and human oversight, and must never be used to deceive or exploit. A voice is more than sound: it is identity, and identity is a human right. Sub-themes around this idea for programme content : ways to leverage, develop or ...

In the age of AI-generated voices , transparency is no longer optional — it is an ethical requirement. When a voice heard on air is synthesized or generated by artificial intelligence , audiences have the right to know. Clear disclosure helps maintain trust, prevents deception, and respects listeners’ ability to make informed judgments about what they hear. This principle calls for thoughtful disclosure policies, including on-air announcements, credits, or descriptions that clearly indicate when AI is being used. Transparency does not undermine creativity or innovation; on the contrary, it strengthens public confidence and ensures that the use of AI in radio remains responsible, ethical, and aligned with human-centered values . Sub-themes around this idea for programme content : ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic: For listeners: How should radio stations disclose the use of AI-generated voices to listeners? Does transparency about AI voices strengthen trust or change ho...

Integrating AI tools often involves exporting or analysing content , sometimes via external platforms. But radio stations manages sensitive data such as voices, testimonials and creations. This idea focuses on the criteria for choosing an AI service : where does the data go? Is it stored? Who has access? Ethical use requires perfect control of data flows . Sub-themes around this idea for programme content : ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic: For listeners: Where does your radio station’s audio data go? Do guests refuse to be analyzed by an AI ? AI in management: who has access to confidential content ? Local radio vs. large AI platforms Have you heard of GDPR? Street interview : do you know what centralized AI is? Potential guests: GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) specialist , representative of an AI platform , etc. For the radio teams: How do you choose a ‘clean’ AI tool ? Potential guests: open source or data security specialists , legal experts Useful...

From live transcription for the hearing impaired and voice synthesis for the visually impaired , to automatic translation for minority languages , AI is making radio more accessible than ever. This idea celebrates AI 's ability to open up the airwaves to all audiences , without excluding anyone. It is a technical and ethical challenge, but also democratic progress. Sub-themes around this idea for programme content : ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic: For listeners: Demo: the AI that transcribes your Radio show live Sign language podcasts: dream or reality? Does AI help us to better understand complex subjects? Radio for the blind: what tangible benefits can AI bring? Feedback from listeners helped by the technology Feedback from people with restricted access to radio Potential guests: representatives of disability advocacy groups, indigenous peoples or minorities , accessibility specialists , etc. For the radio teams: No specific sub-theme, but potential worksho...

AI s learn from the data they are given. If the data is biased, the results will be too. If AI were used in an uncritical way by radio professionals , it could reproduce and amplify stereotypes, including gender stereotypes. This idea raises concerns about side effects: does AI favour certain voices? Does it suppress certain tones or nuances? Human editorial input remains essential to guarantee diversity. Sub-themes around this idea for programme content : ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic: For listeners: Translation AI : what is lost in the meaning of the original text? Why do your AI-generated music choices lack surprise? Does the algorithm favour certain cultures? AI and accents or dialects? Potential guests: AI researcher , activist defending linguistic minorities , gender equality specialist , etc. For the radio teams: Radio exercise: AI and sound diversity quiz What strategies could be put in place to ensure that AI nourishes a wider range of perspectives on air?...

The world of AI is not just a commercial war between web giants. Numerous free, ethical and community-based AI tools are emerging, often developed by researchers or committed groups. The idea is to promote these open source alternatives, which are more transparent, modular and often more respectful of privacy. Sub-themes around this idea for programme content : ways to leverage, develop or angle the topic: For listeners: What free tools can ethical radio use ? Live demonstration of open source AI Can you create your own radio voice assistant ? Meeting with developers of free radio solutions Potential guests: open source developers , members of tech collectives , etc. For the radio teams: Why we should reject ‘black box’ tools Risk of damaging journalistic credibility Editorial independence and technological dependence? Useful links: AI Tools RADAR