Polish radio station sparks controversy by replacing journalists with AI hosts

Published October 25,2024

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A radio station in Poland has sparked nationwide debate by shedding its journalists and resuming broadcasts with AI-generated hosts.

Krakow-based OFF Radio introduced earlier this week that it had relaunched as “the first experiment in Poland where journalists are produced as virtual characters by artificial intelligence.” The station famous that three AI avatars are aimed toward participating youthful listeners, discussing cultural, inventive, and social points.

Station supervisor Marcin Pulit acknowledged, “Is AI media a chance or a threat for radio and journalism? We will seek answers to this question.”

However, the change made headlines when journalist and movie critic Mateusz Demski, a former host on the station, printed an open letter on Tuesday opposing the alternative of workers with AI.

Demski referred to as this a “dangerous precedent,” arguing it might result in a world the place skilled media professionals and inventive trade employees are changed by machines. By Wednesday morning, over 15,000 folks had signed in assist, with a whole lot, particularly younger folks, expressing a need to not be a part of the experiment.

Demski, who had labored at OFF Radio Krakow since February 2022, reminded that the station is supported by taxpayers as a public broadcaster.

Pulit contended that journalists weren’t fired on account of AI, however quite as a result of the viewers had almost disappeared, prompting the choice.

Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski additionally acknowledged he had learn Demski’s letter and referred to as for authorized laws concerning the usage of AI. Gawkowski mentioned, “While I support the development of AI, I believe that some boundaries are increasingly being crossed. The widespread use of AI should be for people, not against them!”

On Tuesday, the station additionally aired a section during which an AI-generated host carried out an “interview” within the voice of Nobel Prize-winning Polish poet Wisława Szymborska, who handed away in 2012.