A radio station in Poland, OFF Radio Krakow, has stirred controversy by replacing its journalists with AI-generated presenters.
The station, based in Krakow, announced the bold move earlier this week, claiming it to be the first experiment of its kind in the country, where artificial intelligence is taking over traditional journalistic roles.
The decision, according to the station’s head Marcin Pulit, is aimed at attracting younger listeners by discussing cultural and social issues, including LGBTQ+ topics, with AI-driven hosts. “Is artificial intelligence more of an opportunity or a threat to media, radio, and journalism? We will seek answers to this question,” Pulit said in a statement.
While some see this as a step toward innovation, the change has not gone without backlash. Journalist and film critic Mateusz Demski, who was a presenter at the station, expressed deep concern over the decision. In an open letter, he called it a “dangerous precedent” that could lead to the displacement of real journalists by machines. Demski’s letter has resonated with many, collecting over 15,000 signatures on a petition opposing the station’s move. He mentioned that he received numerous calls, particularly from young people, distressed by the direction the media seems to be heading.
Demski, who was dismissed in August along with a dozen other journalists, expressed shock at the layoffs, especially given that OFF Radio Krakow is publicly funded. He questioned the ethics behind the decision, while Pulit defended it, stating that the layoffs were due to the station’s low listenership, which he claimed was “close to zero,” rather than a direct result of AI implementation.
Even government officials have weighed in on the matter. Poland’s Minister of Digital Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski shared his concerns, acknowledging the value of AI but warning against over-reliance. “The widespread use of AI must be done for people, not against them!” he posted on social media.
The debate intensified after the station aired an “interview” conducted by an AI-generated host that mimicked the voice of Wisława Szymborska, the late Nobel Prize-winning Polish poet. While some listeners appreciated the creative approach, others found it unsettling. Michał Rusinek, president of the Wisława Szymborska Foundation, stated that he had given permission for the use of her name and believed that Szymborska, known for her sense of humor, would have appreciated the gesture.
As OFF Radio Krakow continues its AI experiment, the conversation about the role of AI in media and creative industries is only just beginning, raising important questions about the future of human journalism.