MEMBER INSIGHT
World Radio Day: The human voice is our most important currency
13 February 2026
Today we celebrate World Radio Day. A day established by UNESCO to celebrate radio for the voices and stories we amplify. This year’s theme is “Radio and Artificial Intelligence” with the message: “AI is a tool, not a voice.” This goes straight to the core of Swedish Radio’s strategy. So writes Andreas Landmark, AI Lead at Swedish Radio.
This press release was originally published by Swedish Radio.
By Andreas Landmark, AI Manager at Swedish Radio
When Swedish Radio turned 100 last year, we produced a film depicting our mission and who we are. It contains a sentence that stays with me constantly: “The story of Swedish Radio is a story about voices.” Our mission is centered around the human voice, to conduct a conversation. Especially in an AI revolution.
In a time where technology is rushing forward, it is crucial not to lose sight of what actually creates trust. In my role as AI Lead at Swedish Radio, I constantly move between strategy and editorial day-to-day operations, a perspective I recently highlighted in a panel hosted by the Swedish media leadership union Medieledarna. While many see how AI is redrawing the entire media map, I see that our most important task remains: To maintain trust in our content, regardless of technological shifts.
Read more: Curious about a news story? – Swedish Radio tests AI supported news search
The Human Voice
Swedish Radio has taken a clear stance not to use synthetic voices in our content. When you hear a voice on our channels, you should know that there is a real person behind the words. That someone bears editorial responsibility, understands context, and can be held accountable by our most important commissioner: you.
At the same time, Swedish Radio is navigating an uncertain future. AI services will change how the audience consumes information. AI is moving from being something optional to becoming an invisible infrastructure in people’s digital everyday lives. Swedish Radio has a democratic and civil preparedness mission to reach the public with verified journalism. We must therefore be ready for new ways to meet our audience, in new services.
But the human voice is, and remains, our most important currency.
An Election Year Demands Verified Reality
When Sweden last went to the national polls in 2022, the quality of AI-generated images and video was laughable; by 2026, they will be indistinguishable from real material. In this landscape, Swedish Radio shall be a safe harbour, on air and on the internet.
Our strength is our feet on the ground. Our reporters and editors. Our presence in Sweden and the world. Journalists who scrutinize, recount, and understand a complex world. The foundation is our journalistic method, combined with using new technology to develop and strengthen our content.
“While many see how AI is redrawing the entire media map, I see that our most important task remains: To maintain trust in our content, regardless of technological shifts.”
AI is a tool that helps us find our way in the archives, streamline research, and present content so that you find what you are looking for. Without compromising on our editorial standards. For us, it continues to be about letting technology handle data processing to free up time for the human encounter.
The Story of Swedish Radio
Today, I am speaking before colleagues from all over Europe at the EBU Academy regarding AI and ethics*. For me, new technology, and especially AI, is tightly linked with media ethics. Not as a limitation. But as a prerequisite for maintaining credibility while reaching a new generation.
To conclude, in marking World Radio Day, there is no better way than to highlight the voice of my colleague, Siri Fagerudd. From the film about Swedish Radio’s first 100 years:
The story of Swedish Radio is a story about all those who, for 100 years, have gone to work to achieve something greater than themselves.
A mission almost animated by the spirit of paving the way, for more voices, for greater understanding, but also for new technology. For a new type of journalism. Closer to our listeners. Throughout all of Sweden.
The story of Swedish Radio is a story about voices. And that these voices are, and will always be, the future of Swedish Radio.
* Open to EBU members for free.
About the author
Andreas Landmark is the AI Manager at Swedish Radio and has shared his expertise on artificial intelligence with several Swedish news organisations.
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