A radio station in Poland has made headlines after replacing its journalists with AI-generated presenters. OFF Radio Krakow, located in the southern city of Krakow, has become the first station in the country to experiment with virtual hosts, prompting both curiosity and backlash.
The AI Experiment
OFF Radio Krakow relaunched this week with three AI-generated avatars designed to engage younger audiences. These virtual hosts will discuss topics like culture, art, and social issues, including LGBTQ+ concerns. Marcin Pulit, the station’s head, described the move as an opportunity to explore whether artificial intelligence represents a threat or an opportunity for the future of journalism and media.
Backlash from Former Employees
The transition has drawn significant criticism, especially from Mateusz Demski, a former journalist and film critic who worked at the station until August. In an open letter published earlier this week, Demski condemned the use of AI to replace human workers, calling it a “dangerous precedent” that threatens creative industries. He warned that replacing experienced professionals with machines could have far-reaching consequences. His letter sparked a wave of support, with over 15,000 people signing a petition in protest.
Public Response
Demski reported receiving calls from hundreds of concerned individuals, many of them young, who expressed fears about the potential impact of such AI experiments on the workforce. He emphasized that OFF Radio Krakow’s status as a publicly funded station made the move even more surprising.
Station’s Defense
Marcin Pulit responded to the controversy by clarifying that the station did not fire journalists because of the introduction of AI. Instead, he attributed the layoffs to a dwindling audience, with listener numbers reportedly nearing zero.
Government Reaction
Poland’s Digital Affairs Minister, Krzysztof Gawkowski, weighed in on the debate, supporting the need for AI regulation. While he expressed enthusiasm for the development of AI technology, he also called for careful consideration of its impact on workers, emphasizing that AI advancements must benefit people, not harm them.
AI Interview with Wisława Szymborska
In a unique AI-powered broadcast, OFF Radio Krakow aired an “interview” with an AI-generated voice simulating the late Wisława Szymborska, a Nobel Prize-winning Polish poet who passed away in 2012. The Wisława Szymborska Foundation allowed the use of her likeness, with the foundation’s president noting that the poet would likely have appreciated the humor of the experiment.
Conclusion
OFF Radio Krakow’s decision to replace journalists with AI avatars has sparked both national debate and calls for regulatory measures. While the station aims to innovate and attract new listeners, the move has raised questions about the future of media and the role of artificial intelligence in creative industries.
