When AI Tells Their Story: Researchers’ Reactions to AI-Generated Podcasts as a Tool for Communicating Research

Podcasts have been recognized as an accessible and engaging medium for education and science communication. Recent advances in generative AI have led to the development of tools that transform science communication by summarizing complex research for broader audiences. However, little research has explored original authors’ perspectives and reactions to these tools, leaving gaps in understanding their views on accurate representation of their work. Through interviews with 10 authors from 9 different disciplines, our study examines authors’ perspectives on the accuracy, effectiveness, and role of AI-generated podcasts in engaging both academic and general audiences. The study also explores their reflections on the opportunities and risks these tools present, both for broader audiences and for authors themselves, along with their ideas for improving the design. By centering authors’ perspectives, this study aims to provide insights for designing AI-assisted science communication systems that respect the integrity of academic work while enhancing accessibility.