Religious Broadcasters Raised Concerns Over AI Impact
The National Religious Broadcasters president warned that AI tools could threaten pastoral trust and radio content.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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National Religious Broadcasters President Troy Miller voiced apprehension regarding how synthetic audio and AI tools impact religious radio ministries. His comments follow studies exploring the intersection of modern technology and pastoral authority.
Why it matters
Religious radio ministries face pressure to manage costs through production efficiency, yet they must navigate significant concerns regarding the misuse of intellectual property and the erosion of congregational trust.
An NRB study found 5% of respondents trust AI over their pastors, while AI tools are currently used to process and distribute content in a speaker's audio likeness.
The players
Troy Miller
He serves as the President and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters.
National Religious Broadcasters
This is a professional association representing Christian broadcasters and communicators.
iHeartMedia
It is a major American mass media company that recently pledged to maintain human voices in its content.
The details
Radio stations are increasingly using AI to boost production efficiency and scale content delivery. Despite this efficiency, organizations remain wary of how synthetic voices may replace human connection and challenge the role of traditional pastoral leadership.
Timeline
January 2026: The NRB conducted a study on AI and pastoral trust.
May 2026: iHeartMedia announced its Guaranteed Human pledge regarding synthetic voices.
July 2026: Crowd React Media published a study on listener acceptance of disclosed AI usage.
The Tech Race
This report follows a pattern set by the iHeartMedia Guaranteed Human pledge regarding the use of synthetic voices. It highlights the growing tension between adopting production-ready AI tools and maintaining the human authenticity that audiences demand.
Listeners may notice an increase in AI-produced content on radio, though many organizations are moving toward transparency by disclosing its use. Consumers should remain aware that while AI can mimic a speaker's likeness, it does not possess the pastoral authority of a human.
The takeaway
The tension between technological efficiency and human connection suggests that radio listeners prioritize authentic voices over AI-generated alternatives. Ministries must weigh the cost-saving potential of these tools against the risk of alienating their core audience.
Further reading
Learn more about the broader implications of these developments in our Artificial Intelligence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Radio Ink.
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