The Snark on Alchemy Podcast "AI Takeover"

The Snark
23 hours ago
4 min read

Updated: 6 hours ago

AI Podcasting: When Robots Do It Worse Than Humans

Introduction: Where Even AI Fears the Mic

Welcome, listeners! This week, I had the pleasure (or should I say "soul-crushing duty"?) of listening to Tim and LeeAnna’s AI-generated podcast, crafted using the ever-so-reliable ElevenLabs platform, and based on my blog ‘How AI Could Replace Human Podcasters.’

The brief? To explore how AI could replace human podcasters and maybe, just maybe, make them obsolete. Well, spoiler alert: AI isn’t coming for your job, Tim. It’s not even coming for your cat’s job, let alone LeeAnna’s. So let’s dive into this AI experiment where chemistry, wit, and human connection get kicked to the curb in favor of hollow algorithms and the occasional “error” in the system.

The AI Clones: Like You, But Worse

Now, let’s talk about these so-called “clones” of Tim and LeeAnna. If you’ve ever wanted to experience what it would be like to have a conversation with two robots who only think they know human emotions, well, this is the podcast for you!

The cloned voices? Let’s just say they sound... kind of like Tim and a lot like LeeAnna – only if they were both trapped in a badly-acted sitcom. LeeAnna sounds like someone held her at gunpoint, reading from a script, while Tim’s voice is, let’s be honest, a complete departure from his natural tone. Imagine if you took Tim, dialed him up to a 1 out of 10 on the cheerful scale, and then threw in an unexpected East End London accent - because, yes, apparently, ElevenLabs thought, “Why not add a bit of Cockney charm to a man who sounds like he should be reading Shakespeare?”

As for the “banter,” well, let’s just say it’s about as engaging as a 90s dial-up internet connection. The timing? Off. The jokes? Nowhere. The sarcasm of my blog? Completely lost on the AI. But hey, we can’t expect an AI to get sarcasm, right? It's only the cornerstone of human humor imho.

The AI’s Absurd Expertise: Sock Organization and Peanut Butter Mac & Cheese

But let’s move on to the content, shall we (aka my Blog)? The whole premise here is to explore how AI is trying to take over podcasting by analyzing human conversations and producing something… listenable. Well, folks, it seems like AI has perfected the art of sounding like it knows what it’s talking about while confidently spinning complete nonsense.

For instance, the AI complains about a different (and-nonexistent) podcast that spread false claims about sock drawer organization and the psychological benefits of color-coding socks. Yes, you heard that right. But I wrote that as a joke! And, of course, they complain the other podcast cited “completely made-up research studies” as the bedrock of this. Now I’m not sure if I’m spreading a false rumor based on a joke, or being called out for it.

And don’t even get me started on the mac and cheese “recipe.” The AI podcast again blames me for spreading fake news on a different podcast that the secret ingredient was a dollop of peanut butter. Because, yes, when you think of grandma’s mac and cheese, you immediately think of a PB&J fusion. The only thing more horrifying than the suggestion itself is that the AI treats this joke as a story in need of being debunked. As someone who can appreciate the occasional culinary experiment, even I know that peanut butter and mac and cheese don’t belong in the same sentence unless you're going for a recipe that’ll leave everyone questioning their life choices.

The weirdest part? When it tries to grapple with creativity. Oh, AI can remix content, don’t worry - it’s just not good at it. It’s like watching a robot do its best impression of a stand-up comedian by reading the dictionary aloud with enthusiasm. AI can generate content, but it can’t create in the way humans do. The “insights” are recycled, and the supposed “genuine connections” are as authentic as a vending machine that tells jokes.

Hybrid Models: The Great AI-Human Co-Op

Here’s where things get mildly interesting. AI companies are now experimenting with hybrid podcast models, where AI handles the research and structure while humans provide the personality and insights. Now, this is where it might get useful. Picture it: an AI that can sift through mountains of research and deliver the facts while a human host steps in to provide the wit, charm, and emotion. That’s a partnership that could work! But let’s be real: it’s still a long way from being a viable, reliable replacement for actual human hosts.

The truth is, AI can’t replace the heart of what makes podcasts so special - genuine human connection. It can assist, sure, but it can’t replace the raw, messy, unpredictable magic of people coming together to share thoughts, stories, and experiences.

Conclusion: AI is Not Your Competition (Yet)

So, in conclusion, AI podcasting is here, folks, but if you think it’s coming for your job as a podcaster or writer anytime soon, relax. AI is good at producing content, but it’s terrible at making it engaging or authentic. The jokes fall flat. The conversations are stiff. The soul - the heart of the podcast - is missing.

For now, writers, podcasters, and genuine human hosts can breathe easy. AI is not taking over anytime soon. But do lean into the chaos of AI’s potential. Use it, experiment with it, and throw your characters into a dystopian future where even their relationships are automated - because if AI can screw up humor this badly, it’s definitely going to make life even stranger for your characters. So go ahead, put them through hell... and watch as AI adds a little extra unease to their already complicated lives.