A radio station in Poland has stirred national debate by replacing its human journalists with artificial intelligence (AI) avatars. OFF Radio Krakow, based in the city of Krakow, relaunched this week, announcing itself as the first Polish radio station to feature “virtual journalists” powered by AI. The station aims to attract younger listeners with content focused on culture, art, and social issues, including topics important to LGBTQ+ communities.
Station head Marcin Pulit defended the shift, calling it an experiment to examine AI’s role in media. “Is artificial intelligence more of an opportunity or a threat to media, radio, and journalism? We will seek answers to this question,” Pulit stated.
However, the decision sparked immediate backlash, including from former employee and film critic Mateusz Demski. In an open letter, Demski criticized the move as a “dangerous precedent” that he believes could harm media professionals across the country.
His letter gained swift support, with over 15,000 signatures by Wednesday morning. “Experienced employees in the media sector should not be replaced by machines,” Demski argued.
Government officials, including Poland’s Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski, joined the debate. Gawkowski expressed support for AI regulation, saying, “Although I am a fan of AI, certain boundaries are being crossed.”
OFF Radio Krakow insists that low listener numbers, not AI, led to staff layoffs.
Photo credit: craiyon.com
