Polish Radio Station Replaces Journalists with AI
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A radio station in Poland is using AI to create its presenters. The station is called OFF Radio Krakow. It used to have real people working as journalists. But now, the station has three AI characters. These characters talk about things like art, culture, and LGBTQ+ issues.
The station’s boss, Marcin Pulit, said that this is the first time in Poland that a radio station is using only AI presenters. He said they hope to reach more young people. However, some people are not happy with this change. One journalist, Mateusz Demski, wrote a letter saying it was not a good idea to replace people with machines.
Demski worked at the radio station until August, when he and other journalists lost their jobs. He said many young people have contacted him because they do not like this experiment. He even started a petition to protest against the use of AI in radio.
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A Polish radio station, OFF Radio Krakow, has recently replaced its human journalists with AI-generated presenters. The station, based in the city of Krakow, says that the AI presenters will discuss culture, art, and social issues, including topics that matter to LGBTQ+ communities. This move makes OFF Radio Krakow the first radio station in Poland to use virtual AI characters instead of real journalists.
The station’s director, Marcin Pulit, said this is an experiment aimed at attracting a younger audience. He mentioned that the goal is to explore whether artificial intelligence is more of an opportunity or a threat to journalism and radio. However, many are unhappy with this change. Mateusz Demski, a journalist who worked at the station, strongly disagreed with the decision. He argued that using AI in place of experienced journalists could harm people working in creative industries.
Demski, who was let go in August along with other staff, started a petition against the use of AI. The petition has received over 15,000 signatures. He said that many young people have contacted him, worried about the idea of replacing humans with machines in media. Demski was especially shocked because the station is publicly funded by taxpayers.
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OFF Radio Krakow, a Polish radio station, has ignited a nationwide debate by replacing its human journalists with AI-generated presenters. The station, located in Krakow, relaunched this week with three AI avatars discussing cultural, artistic, and social topics, including LGBTQ+ issues. The move marks the first such experiment in Poland, with station head Marcin Pulit describing it as an opportunity to assess whether artificial intelligence is a positive or negative force in media and journalism.
Pulit insisted that the decision was driven by low audience numbers, not the adoption of AI itself. However, the move has faced significant backlash, particularly from former staff members. Mateusz Demski, a journalist who hosted programs on the station until August, has been vocal in his opposition. In an open letter, Demski warned that replacing experienced media professionals with AI sets a dangerous precedent that could extend beyond journalism, affecting creative industries across the board.
Demski’s open letter quickly gained traction, with over 15,000 people signing a petition to protest the station’s decision. Many critics argue that while AI can be a helpful tool, it should not replace humans in fields that require creativity, critical thinking, and experience. Even Poland’s Minister of Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, weighed in on the controversy, stating that while AI development is exciting, boundaries need to be respected to ensure that technology serves people, not the other way around.
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Stock images by Unsplash
