Polish radio station fires dozens of reporters, replaces them with AI

Radio station OFF Radio Kraków in Poland has sparked controversy by firing its journalists to use AI 'presenters'.

Picture of the three AI presenters from left to right: Jakub "Kuba" Zieliński, AI "Alex" Szulc and Emila "Emi" Nowak - Photo: OFF RADIO KRAKÓW

According to CNN on October 24, OFF Radio Kraków (Poland) introduced three new "hosts" who are products of artificial intelligence (AI).

Notably, this move comes a few days after the station fired dozens of employees including reporters, producers and musicians.

According to the station's description, these AI products are designed to be "exemplary representatives of Gen Z" and attract young audiences on cultural, artistic, social issues...

"Is artificial intelligence an opportunity or a threat for media, radio and journalism? We will find out the answer to this question," said Marcin Pulit, head of OFF Radio Kraków.

Mr. Pulit also asserted that the reporters were fired not because of AI but because the programs they were in charge of did not attract many listeners.

The incident attracted public attention when Mr. Mateusz Demski, one of dozens of fired reporters, posted a public letter protesting the station's decision to replace "human" reporters with AI.

He called it “a dangerous precedent that affects us all”, and argued that it could pave the way “to a world where experienced, long-term media workers and those working in creative industries are replaced by machines”.

Journalist and film critic Mateusz Demski (left) opposes the use of AI presenters - Photo: MATEUSZ DEMSKI

He added that as of the morning of October 23, more than 15,000 people had signed a petition protesting this action by OFF Radio Kraków.

On October 22, Polish Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski said he had read Mr. Demski's letter and emphasized the need for laws to monitor the use of AI.

“While I am a supporter of AI development, I think there are some boundaries that are being crossed. The widespread use of AI should be done for humans, not against them!” he wrote on X.

AI "interviews" fake Nobel Prize-winning poet

On October 22, OFF Radio Kraków aired a fake “interview” with Wisława Szymborska, a Polish poet and Nobel Prize winner in Literature. It is worth noting that she passed away in 2012. Therefore, both the moderator and the interviewee were products of AI.

Michał Rusinek, the person in charge of overseeing the late poet's legacy, said he had agreed to let OFF Radio Kraków use Szymborska's name in the program. He explained that the Nobel Prize winner had a sense of humor and would have liked the idea if she were still alive.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dai-phat-thanh-ba-lan-duoi-hang-chuc-phong-vien-thay-bang-ai-20241025221518116.htm