BAKU, FEB 13: Proclaimed in 2011 by UNESCO Member States and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, World Radio Day (WRD) is celebrated every February 13. It is a Day to thank broadcasters for the news they deliver, the voices they amplify and the stories they share.

Today Artificial Intelligence (AI) opens a new chapter: not just for innovation but for deepening their bond with listeners.

Radio stands at a moment of transformation where AI can help strengthen its core mission: informing, educating, and entertaining. By automating routine tasks—like scheduling, voice-tracking, weather and sports updates, and administrative workflows—stations can free teams to focus on creativity and connection.

AI also supports deeper audience insights, more relevant advertising, personalized listening experiences, and the amplification of under represented voices. With tools that enhance fact checking, validation, and archival discovery, radio can deliver higher quality content while maintaining human judgment at the center. These innovations ultimately reinforce what matters most: listener trust.

AI can drive the next wave of media innovation

To use AI responsibly, broadcasters need thoughtful strategy rather than just technology. This includes creating ethical internal policies, protecting privacy and data ownership, ensuring transparency, and handling generative audio with care. It also means investing in staff skills and collaboration and putting legal and security safeguards in place to manage emerging risks.

UNESCO’s World Radio Day 2026 initiative encourages stations to approach AI as an opportunity for growth and innovation—while preserving the warmth, reliability, and human touch that audiences value.

Among the many events being prepared for World Radio Day, UNESCO is encouraging radio stations to make use of new free resources, including access to broadcasting related AI tools and free AI training sessions. As in previous years, stations can also register to appear on the UNESCO World Radio Day map.