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Robot DJ Takes To The Airwaves

Robotic Disco Dancing Indeed

Robot DJ Takes To The Airwaves
18 August 2011

This is what we call something of an ethical dilemma: if, like us, you’re sick of supposed radio personalities prattling on and fuelling their own inflated egos while displaying a complete absence of musical knowledge, you might think humans being supplanted by robots on the airwaves to be a good thing.

However, what about the handful of sentient DJs who are passionate about music and aren’t complete numpties? Not to mention the consequences for the wider labour market and rising unemployment. As we say, an ethical dilemma indeed.

What we can say with absolute certainty is that as of next week, a radio station in America will be utilising an Artificial Intelligence ‘DJ’ by the name of Denise.

Dominique Garcia from the KROV radio station in San Antonio, Texas, bought Denise for $200 and following a stint as a personal assistant (for which she was originally developed), Garcia is unleashing Denise on listeners.

For now, scriptwriters will still have to write Denise’s speech and line up her voice (which of course rather begs the question, why bother?), but Garcia reckons these obstacles will be surmounted in time.

To get a sneaky peek at what Denise sounds like, see the video below. She certainly doesn't have a face for radio.

(Image: YouTube)