More than a third of new podcasts are now AI generated, data shows
More than a third of new podcasts are now AI generated, data shows
Anthony CuthbertsonMon, May 11, 2026 at 8:17 PM UTC
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An attendee wears an Apple AirPod during a launch event on 7 September, 2016 in San Francisco, California (Stephen Lam/Getty Images)
More than a third of all new podcasts uploaded to streaming platforms are now generated by AI, according to industry figures.
The growing trend of so-called “podslop” was noted in recent data from the Podcast Index, which revealed that 39 per cent of recently uploaded podcasts were likely created using artificial intelligence.
AI-generated podcasts can be made in just minutes using numerous free online tools, with each featuring synthetic voices from artificial hosts discussing a topic prompted by the creator.
There are even dedicated AI podcasting companies, such as Inception Point AI, which churn out thousands of podcasts each week.
The firm’s website features various “AI personalities”, including an English gardener named Nigel Thistledown, a financial advisor called Pennie Power, and celebrity gossip monger VV Steele.
“We manage a full slate of AI talent, each optimised for engagement and built to connect with audiences through shared passions,” the site states.
Inception Point AI describes its content as “the next chapter in storytelling”, claiming to reach an audience of more than 10 million people.
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Other creative industries are also being inundated with AI-generated content, including music, film and literature, with advances in generative artificial intelligence making it increasingly difficult to distinguish it from human-made content.
A survey of 9,000 people across eight countries last year found that the vast majority of participants could not tell the difference between AI-generated music from songs made by real musicians.
Participants of the survey, which was carried out by Ipsos and the streaming platform Deezer, said they were uncomfortable with not being able to tell the difference.
According to Deezer, over 50,000 AI-generated tracks are uploaded to its service every day, making up roughly a third of all new music.
There have been calls for streaming platforms to clearly label content that is created by AI, with some companies offering certification services to increase transparency and trust.
“Providing the clarity to confidently choose human-created content is a fundamental right in an era where AI is increasingly masquerading as human,” said Trevor Woods, founding CEO of international certification body Proudly Human.
“As the only international certification mark verifying human-created work in multiple industries, Proudly Human restores audience trust and gives creators the recognition they deserve.”
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
