“Al Roker’s family joke about his AI nickname takes a dark turn when Deborah Roberts’ playful teasing pushes him to the edge, sparking a shocking outburst.” .QN

Al Roker has a concern about the use of AI, but it may not be for the reason you think.

While speaking with Us Weekly exclusively alongside his wife, Deborah Roberts, at the Broadcast + Cable Hall of Fame Induction on Tuesday, September 30, Roker, 71, shared his worries about the shorthand spelling of artificial intelligence.

“I’m not so upset about AI as much as when I see it in print, it always looks like Al. I think it should be A.I. or A-I – because when you look at the headlines, it says ‘Al Will Destroy Us.’ And I don’t want to take that responsibility,” Roker joked.

Roberts, 65, expressed more serious worries about AI.

“What makes me nervous is AI, because we don’t know where that’s all going. Digital work is great and it’s expansive and we’re all jumping into it, but it is very different,” The TV veteran told Us. “What makes me excited is that people still seem [interested] in what we’re doing, and I’m really proud about that.”

The Broadcast + Cable Hall of Fame honors the best in broadcast, cable, broadband and streaming television by recognizing the pioneers and current stars within media. Previous honorees include Dr. Phil McGraw, the cast of The View and more.

This year’s inductees included Drew Barrymore, Sheryl Lee Ralph and the cast of Days of Our Lives, among others. This year, Days of Our Lives celebrated 60 years on air. Actor James Reynolds, who has played the character Abe Carver for more than four decades on the hit soap opera, spoke to Us about what this recognition means to him.

“What an honor for all of us that worked on this show. It’s extraordinary,” Reynolds, 79, told Us about the show being inducted. “I feel so at home here. Tonight is just fantastic.”

Recently, AI actress Tilly Norwood was introduced to Hollywood amid much backlash from actors and viewers alike. Reynolds said he found the news of the AI actress to be “very disturbing.”

“There’s so many aspects of that I question,” Reynolds told Us. “The talent that’s out there right now is probably the best ever. The pool is bigger and stronger than ever. I just want to make sure those actors still get the opportunities we had.”

Reynolds also shared with Us the interactions he’s had with celebrity fans of Days of Our Lives that have surprised him.

“I was once on an elevator with jazz legend Joe Williams, César Romero, and somebody else. They were all guys from a different time and a different era. And they came up to me,” Reynolds told Us. “The Temptations were big fans. My understanding is that Julia Roberts is a big fan. I could go down the list. It’s extraordinary when you meet people who you’ve looked up to for a long time, and they’re coming up to you. I’m not one of those people who’ll walk up to people and say, ‘Hey, I’m a fan.’ But when it happens, it’s like the kid in me comes out again. We all dream, and to have it happen makes me think, ‘OK, I’ve done something for myself.’”