AI-generated radio host sparks controversy in Poland

WARSAW

A radio station in Poland faced backlash on Wednesday after continuing its broadcasts with an AI-generated host following the dismissal of its journalists.

The radio station "OFF Radio Krakow" in Krakow, Poland, resumed broadcasting weeks after laying off its journalists, using an AI project.

The broadcasts will continue with AI-generated hosts, the radio station said in a statement, adding: "In this experiment, where characters created by artificial intelligence are journalists, the aim is to explore whether this technology is a threat or an opportunity for radio, media, and journalism."

Mateusz Demski, a former host at "OFF Radio Krakow," launched a petition in response to the project.

Using AI-generated hosts at the station would "lead to machines replacing experienced workers in the media sector," Demski said in a statement.

The petition has already garnered over 15,000 signatures.

Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski, in a statement on X, said: "Although I am a fan of AI development, some boundaries are increasingly being crossed. AI should be used for people, not against them."

Marcin Pulit, the owner of the radio station, stated that the journalists were not laid off due to the AI project, but because the number of listeners was "close to zero."