Move over John Humphrys: Today show’s new guest editors are Harry, Rio ... and a robot

John Humphrys's interrogations on Radio 4’s Today programme may have occasionally drawn fire for their raw aggression but the acerbic presenter has rarely been described as robotic.

Now, in the latest change of direction for the flagship show, artificial intelligence will be used to “enhance” it for the first time in its 60-year history.

An “AI special” will take its place in the Christmas schedules alongside guest-editing slots by Rio Ferdinand, the footballer-turned-boxer; Tamara Rojo, the ballet dancer and artistic director of the English National Ballet; and Antonia Romeo, a senior Brexit mandarin. It is understood that Prince Harry, who is currently on a visit to Canada, is also being lined up for a day in the studio as the first royal editor of a BBC programme.

Insiders describe the AI show as “an artificially enhanced version of the programme” to remove human error. In the past, presenters have spoken over the beeps marking the hour, a blunder known as “crashing the pips”.

However, there is no suggestion it will be used to improve the quality of the famously patchy horse-racing tips.

It is the latest innovation from new editor Sarah Sands, who last week faced accusations of jeopardising the programme’s heavyweight reputation with more emphasis on “girl’s stuff”.

Ms Sands, who previously edited the Evening Standard, has introduced more coverage of topics such as fashion and the arts, as well as science, to a show once best known for its gladiatorial showdowns with leading politicians.

She wrote earlier this year: “Artificial intelligence is going to happen, as autumn follows summer. But should humans just surrender to superhumans?”

It is not known which of the roster of five presenters — Nick Robinson, Sarah Montague, Mishal Husain, Justin Webb and Humphrys — will be on duty when the AI technology is deployed. If his involvement is confirmed, Prince Harry is expected to have an input on all three hours of the morning show but to focus on issues with the theme of young leadership.

It has been reported that the prince, 33, paid a visit to the Today programme earlier this year to familiarise himself with the studio at the BBC’s New Broadcasting House in Marylebone, where he met Webb and Montague.

Ms Sands said: “The Today Christmas guest-edits are a national institution. We are delighted with our editors this year and will see which one listeners might prefer to keep.”