In 2011, UNESCO declared February 13 as World Radio Day.

The date marks the founding of the United Nations Radio in 1946.

Radio is a powerful medium. Globally, it remains the most used media. It is low-cost and ideal for reaching remote communities and people in need. Radio gives a platform for public debate, no matter the education level. It also plays a key role in emergency communication and disaster relief.

On this day, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany highlighted the link between radio and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

He said, “Let us make sure AI serves the public, not the other way around. Let radio continue to inform with integrity, connect with empathy, and speak with a human voice.”

The UN says radio is now in a moment of transformation. AI can strengthen radio’s main mission: to inform, educate, and entertain. By automating routine tasks like scheduling, voice tracking, weather and sports updates, and administrative workflows, radio teams can focus on creativity and connection.

For World Radio Day 2026, UNESCO encourages stations to use AI as a tool for growth and innovation. At the same time, they should keep the warmth, trust, and human touch that audiences value.

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