Edison: Listeners Would Feel “Deceived” by AI Host
Edison Research put questions about AI hosts before those surveyed for its Q1 2026 Edison Podcast Metrics and reports two-thirds have a negative reaction to the notion. Saying that it is exploring the role AI should play in podcasting, Edison says it 
“asked weekly consumers how they would feel if their favorite podcast host started using an AI-generated version to host their podcast. Most weekly podcast consumers, 66%, reacted negatively to the idea. One-third of weekly podcast consumers said they would feel ‘deceived,’ with another third feeling ‘upset.’ Thirty-two percent said ‘skeptical,’ followed by 28% who felt ‘betrayed.’” On the flipside, “14% of weekly podcast consumers were ‘impressed’ by the usage of an AI-generated host. Another 12% were optimistic, and 10% were ‘fascinated,’ all at the bottom of the list.”