TL;DR
- KFMW Rock 108 in Waterloo/Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has deployed an AI-generated on-air personality known as “DJ Tori” for overnight and weekend morning shifts.
- Program Director Russ Mottla says Tori fills gaps where live DJs weren’t previously scheduled, offering song intros and light commentary.
- Listeners know Tori is artificial — with the station crafting a full persona including look and social presence.
- Rock 108 has embraced the public, edgy use of AI as a brand-aligned addition, not a replacement for human hosts.
AI DJ Tori Takes the Mic at KFMW Rock 108
Eastern Iowa’s beloved rock station KFMW (107.9 FM), known as Rock 108, has introduced a virtual DJ named “Tori” — an artificial intelligence-generated on-air host who now handles overnight hours and early weekend morning shows.
Tori isn’t a mysterious digital presence hidden away behind the scenes; she’s been a named personality on Rock 108’s schedule and website, complete with images and a backstory that blends humor and a “rock personality” vibe.
Program Director Russ Mottla says the station built the AI role as a solution to previously unattended shifts, allowing a voice to introduce songs, share factoids, and offer listeners something more than silent automation.
Why Rock 108 Went With an AI Voice
Before Tori, overnight and early weekend morning airwaves on Rock 108 often featured straight music with no human voiceovers. According to Mottla, the AI host helps fill in those breaks to:
- Introduce new and unfamiliar tracks
- Give light commentary and music factoids
- Wrap transitions between songs with context listeners might appreciate
Listeners aren’t left guessing about Tori’s nature — she’s openly presented as an AI-generated character, which Rock 108 says builds curiosity rather than confusion.
A Character With Attitude and Rock Flair
Over time, Rock 108’s team has developed a full persona for Tori, giving her a distinctive look with a nose ring, blue hair, and full-sleeve tattoos in visuals tied to the station’s digital profile…