A new study from automation firm Linkee ranks copywriters, advertising sales agents, and promotions managers—three positions central to radio—among the jobs most at risk of replacement by artificial intelligence.
Copywriters face the greatest exposure, with an estimated 85% replacement risk and a projected –3.4% growth rate, resulting in the study’s highest overall risk score of 90. AI-driven ad platforms are already automating tasks once handled by writers, eroding demand for human-generated copy.
Advertising sales agents, defined as professionals who solicit ad buys across television, radio, print, and digital outlets, rank third on the vulnerability list. They carry a 57% replacement risk and a –6.6% growth rate, earning a risk score of 74. The study notes that emerging automated ad systems are beginning to displace traditional sales structures.
Promotions managers also appear on the list, with a 52% risk of replacement and a projected –4% growth rate, placing their overall risk score at 66. These roles, often responsible for event marketing and audience engagement, are increasingly challenged by AI-driven analytics and campaign tools.
The findings reflect early pressure on radio’s business side, following Jacobs Media’s AQ6 survey in 2024, which reported that 77% of on-air talent feared losing jobs to AI. While announcers remain more secure for now, the vulnerability of adjacent roles highlights the breadth of the industry’s exposure.