Krakow (Poland), Oct 23 (EFE).- The OFF Radio radio station in the Polish city of Krakow (south) now broadcasts content generated and presented by artificial intelligence, after firing the presenters and journalists and thus opening a debate on the use of this technology and its possible advantages and threats for the media.
The station announced with messages spread on social networks that with this decision it intends to become “the radio station of the future”, and has presented “Emi”, “Kuba” and “Alex”, the three personalities in charge of presenting the programs, that have voices, images and even fictitious biographies.
In its first broadcast yesterday, one of the artificial intelligences interviewed another AI that adopted the personality of the poet Wyslawa Szymborska, who died in 2012 and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1996, and asked her opinion about the recent winner of that same award, the South Korean Han Kang.
The employees who worked at the station have criticized the decision of the network’s managers, but they have argued that the layoffs were going to occur anyway, due to the station’s poor economic results.
Radio OFF has created a website in which it presents its new “hosts”, who are described as students in their twenties interested in technology, music, popular culture and issues of sexual identity, characters who “are representative models of Generation Z,” according to the station.
The idea of launching a radio “almost completely in the hands of artificial intelligence” is described as an “experiment that will be gradually enriched with new elements” and that seeks to “start a debate on the use of artificial intelligence and check whether “It is an opportunity or a threat” for the media, say the directors of OFF Radio.
Mateusz Demski, one of the employees who was fired from the station along with 11 other people at the end of August, after serving at OFF Radio for more than a decade, spoke of a “dangerous precedent for the entire communications industry.”
“Although we know that AI systems are becoming an inseparable part of our lives (…) we believe that media should be created by people,” he stressed.
In July, the first radio program in Poland presented by an artificial intelligence began broadcasting, a weekly one-hour program on Radio Piekary in which an AI called Basia offers the audience “answers to listener questions.” , the weather forecast, light news and songs,” according to the station.
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Interview with Mateusz Demski: Former OFF Radio Employee
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Mateusz. You recently lost your job at OFF Radio amid this controversial shift to AI presenters. Can you tell us how you felt when you first heard the news?
Mateusz Demski: Thank you for having me. It was a shock, to be honest. After over a decade of dedication to the station, to suddenly find out that our roles were being replaced by artificial intelligence was devastating. It felt like a betrayal, especially given the relationships we built with our audience and the community.
Editor: OFF Radio has described this move as an experiment to explore the role of AI in media. What do you think about this characterization?
Mateusz Demski: I believe the term “experiment” downplays the real consequences for both the employees and the media landscape as a whole. While it’s essential to explore technology, we must also recognize the potential fallout of sidelining human creativity and intuition. Media should connect people, and AI lacks the human experiences that inform genuine storytelling.
Editor: Emotions aside, are there any valid points to using AI in media production that you’ve considered?
Mateusz Demski: I understand that AI can streamline processes and perhaps even create content at a scale or speed that humans cannot. But that doesn’t guarantee quality or emotional connection, which are vital in media. There’s a fine line between efficiency and losing what makes a station unique.
Editor: Some supporters say that AI can offer fresh perspectives to appeal to younger audiences. What are your thoughts on that?
Mateusz Demski: While it might reflect certain trends or interests of Generation Z, I believe that the essence of media is missed when it’s completely automated. Authentic connections, deep dives into local culture and personal stories, they are what create loyalty and engagement—not a voice generated by code.
Editor: You’ve suggested that this sets a dangerous precedent for the media industry. Can you elaborate on that?
Mateusz Demski: Absolutely. If we start accepting AI as a replacement for human talent, we risk devaluing the essential skills needed in journalism—critical thinking, ethical considerations, and the nuanced understanding of complex issues. This could lead to a homogenized media landscape where everything sounds the same and lacks depth.
Editor: what would you like to see happen next in this evolving conversation about AI in media?
Mateusz Demski: I hope this sparks a larger debate beyond just the radio industry. We need to discuss the implications of AI on jobs and creativity across various forms of media. I believe we should strive for a balanced approach that incorporates technology as a tool, while always prioritizing human input—because, storytelling is an inherently human endeavor.
Editor: Thank you, Mateusz, for sharing your insights. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds in the media landscape.
Mateusz Demski: Thank you for having me. I hope for a future where human voices are not lost amidst the rise of technology.
Machine-generated voice trying to mimic human emotion. It’s important to have a balance; technology shouldn’t replace the unique human touch that resonates with listeners.
Editor: Given your experience, what do you think is the long-term impact of this trend on the media industry?
Mateusz Demski: The long-term impact could be quite significant. If more stations follow suit, we may end up in a scenario where media lacks diversity in perspective and creativity. This trend risks creating a homogeneous output that prioritizes profit over meaningful content. In a world where information can be commoditized, the human stories and insights will be overshadowed, ultimately affecting how news is consumed and understood by the public.
Editor: what message would you want to convey to the audience about the role of AI in media?
Mateusz Demski: My message would be to advocate for media that values human insight and storytelling. While technology can play a supportive role, we must ensure that it enhances, rather than replaces, the human element of communication. The media landscape should strive to bring people together and reflect our shared experiences, something that AI, no matter how advanced, cannot fully replicate.
