A new podcast in Melrose is generated and hosted by AI

A new podcast focused on Melrose town news is generated and hosted by artificial intelligence. The podcast, Melrose Update Robocast, is an experiment by Melrose native Tom Catalini. He says the show is "a result of the lack of local journalism ... and dissatisfaction with forums on social media." The first episode is about the city's latest zoning ordinances.

Reporter Jennifer Smith covered this podcast for Commonwealth Beacon. Smith and Catalini join Radio Boston to talk about the moral and ethical implications of an AI podcast and the future of local news.