United Kingdom, May 12 -- More than a third of all newly uploaded podcasts are now believed to be generated using artificial intelligence, according to new industry figures highlighting the rapid rise of so-called "podslop".

Data from the Podcast Index found that 39 per cent of recently uploaded podcasts were likely created using AI tools rather than human hosts or producers.

AI-generated podcasts can be produced within minutes using freely available software that creates synthetic hosts and scripted conversations based on user prompts.

A growing number of companies are now dedicated entirely to AI podcast production, including Inception Point AI, which reportedly releases thousands of shows every week.

The company's website lists sev...