Find out how Will.i.am is reinventing the radio with his FYI RAiDiO platform and his India connection
When you hear the name Will.i.am, images of catchy tunes and electrifying performances by the Black Eyed Peas might come to mind. With hits like “Where Is The Love?”, “Let’s Get It Started”, and “Don’t Phunk With My Heart”, his impact on the music industry is undeniable. However, William James Adams Jr., better known as Will.i.am, is also carving out an impressive niche for himself in the realm of technology. Presently, he is pioneering a groundbreaking project—FYI RAiDiO—which aims to redefine the traditional radio experience.
Recently, the 50-year-old artist-technologist captured attention at the Snapdragon Auto Day hosted by Qualcomm India in New Delhi. Collaborating closely with innovators such as Qualcomm, Will.i.am is on a mission to revolutionize the way audiences engage with radio content.
The FYI RAiDiO platform introduces a concept of interactive radio stations, each themed around diverse spheres like sports and pop culture. Unlike conventional radio, this platform leverages the power of artificial intelligence to offer enhanced interactivity. Imagine being greeted by an AI host, engaging in a dialogue on topics of your choosing.
Will.i.am elaborates on his vision: “I envision the car evolving into a space with artificial self-awareness… that’s the ultimate goal. Many of the key insights and breakthroughs originated during brainstorming sessions at Mercedes, a key investor in FYI,” he explained.
FYI RAiDiO is designed for integration into the automobile environment, exemplifying the next wave of AI utilization focused on hyper-personalized music and news curation. It supports traditional third-party radio and broadcast stations while combining language models, online resources, music licenses, and customized voice personas to craft an immersive radio experience.
The industry knows the vital role of personalization, with Qualcomm leading the charge. The company has a long history of collaborating with various partners to deliver cutting-edge solutions. Its Snapdragon Cockpit Platform is engineered to provide the computational prowess required for advanced AI, cloud connectivity, and computing, enhancing personalization and safety within vehicles.
Nakul Duggal, Group General Manager, Automotive and Industrial, and Embedded IoT at Qualcomm Technologies, shared his insights: “Consumers and automakers frequently talk about the ‘smart living space’ concept. Cars are unique as personal and family-oriented environments, distinct from the functions performed by phones or home technologies. Meeting Will was inspiring. His vision combines AI, content, and art, transforming them into practical applications. With the Cockpit, we’ve created a foundation for clients to innovate and differentiate through unique user experiences. It’s a remarkable convergence of Will’s artistic and technological prowess with the potential of our Cockpit offering.”
A standout element of the FYI RAiDiO platform is its implementation of voice characters who conduct radio segments. These virtual hosts can provide detailed information about any topic, including the music currently playing, with real-time responses.
“It empowers drivers to reinterpret, reshape, and remix music through their journeys. Each drive becomes a unique soundtrack. FYI Radio replicates the essence of traditional radio but introduces an interactive dimension. You can pause to inquire about local or global happenings, directly engaging with information,” Will.i.am noted, affirming the platform’s active engagement potential as observed by Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon.
A seasoned expert in AI applications, Will.i.am’s journey began under the mentorship of AI expert Patrick Winston. He co-hosted a radio show alongside Qd.pi, an AI developed for SiriusXM, and served as Intel’s director of creative innovation.
Reflecting on his tech journey, Will.i.am recalled: “In starting my first venture, we explored natural language understanding, image processing, and machine learning. My team comprised engineers from Bangalore and Chennai. Together, we developed a voice operating system and experimented with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chip to create a device called the Dial in 2014, ahead of its time for smartwatch communication.”
Will.i.am’s imaginative approach extends beyond music. For instance, the 2010 Black Eyed Peas music video “Imma Be Rocking That Body” opens with a scene showcasing futuristic technology capable of mimicking any artist’s voice, leaving his bandmates astonished—technology that has become a reality today.
