“Guaranteed Human”:  A Firm Stance by iHeartRadio Against AI-Generated Music

In a daring and significance-laden move, iHeartRadio has announced a profound new policy that flatly prohibits AI-composed music, AI-developed on-air personalities, and synthesized voices from appearing on any of its radio stations or podcasts. Dubbed “Guaranteed Human,” the campaign represents a direct reaction to increasing concerns among listeners regarding the incursion of artificial intelligence into media areas of creativity and emotional expression.

The move comes at a time of explosive development in the realm of content generated by AI: Today, AI software is capable of churning out millions of songs every day—which sound remarkably similar to music composed by human beings. Naturally, this development has sparked more questions about creativity and authenticity for listeners and media executives alike than anyone might have anticipated.

A Broadcasting Giant Says “No” to Synthetic Sound

In an internal memo circulated among employees in late November 2025, Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer and President of National Programming at iHeartRadio, made the company’s position very clear:

There will be no use of AI-generated voices on the air.

There will be no AI-generated songs featuring virtual vocalists.

There will be no hosting of programs, segments, or “call-ins” by AI personalities.

This policy applies to the entire broadcast radio platform of over 850 stations in the global iHeart media network and its expanding podcast offerings.


Why Now? The Stakes of AI in Audio Culture Magazine

The “Guaranteed Human” campaign is preceded by a growing debate in the media and music world about:

AI music proliferation – Artificial intelligence music is flooding major streaming sites, with some topping the charts. This has raised questions about authenticity and competition from human artists.

Listener sentiment - According to a study by iHeart, listeners prefer the authenticity of human content and are uneasy about AI substituting human creators—a shift in policy that the company attributes to this trend.

Industry tensions - While iHeart is setting a clear boundary between AI and listeners, the industry as a whole (particularly streaming platforms) has been accepting of AI content as long as it does not masquerade as a real artist. This sets a difference in how media companies are deciding to integrate with the AI revolution.

However, according to certain sectors in the industry, AI could cause an “overcrowding” of low-effort songs among human artists. There are also those who are concerned about copyright infringement, job displacement, and even the lowering of creative standards.


What "Guaranteed Human" Really Means

Although its rhetoric is biting, the policy does exhibit nuance with regards to certain types of AI:

However, iHeart could continue to utilize AI technology in the background for tasks such as scheduling, analytics, editing, and workflow automation—but not as on-air personalities or creative artists.

The ban is specifically directed at synthetic vocalists and personalities that have been developed to imitate humans on the listener side. zipfm.net Stations are also incorporating the “Guaranteed Human” brand identity into their hourly station identification and imaging, reinforcing the promise of real people with every broadcast. zipfm.net Reactions from Audiences and the Industry The audience response has been mixed but passionately expressed: Most fans welcome this decision, as it is viewed as an affirmation of true artistic expression and a rejection of algorithmic "synthetic sludge" pushed by streaming platforms. The Daily Dot Critics wonder whether such a ban could eventually have an impact on discoverability, or even competitiveness, if rival platforms were to move more fully into AI-driven content. However, some observers in this industry point out the paradox of this large media outlet promoting human voices while developing internal systems using AI. InsideAudioMarketing A Cultural Flashpoint: What This Means for the Future The move by iHeartRadio is much more than a corporate decision—it is a reflection of the importance of human creativity in this new age of generative technology. In choosing to focus on the human voice, iHeartRadio is making a statement about its brand’s importance in this new era of convenience that values authenticity as well. Whether other media behemoths will follow suit, whether this position will become a liability or an advantage, only time will tell. But for now, it seems that iHeart has made its position clear: where the airwaves are concerned, there are some things that AI should never replace.