OFF Radio Krakow has ignited controversy by dismissing its human journalists and relaunching with AI-generated presenters, marking what it claims as the first experiment of its kind in Poland.

The transition to AI drew national attention after former journalist Mateusz Demski published an open letter condemning the replacement of human employees, which garnered over 15,000 signatures.

Listeners have criticized the station for lacking dignity after laying off human hosts and for using AI to tackle sensitive topics.

The station's editor-in-chief, Marcin Pulit, stated that the initiative aims to explore whether AI represents an opportunity or a threat to media and journalism.

Demski expressed concerns that the shift to AI threatens creative industries and sets a dangerous precedent for the media sector.

The station's AI-generated content debuted with an interview featuring a voice mimicking the late Nobel Prize-winning poet Wisława Szymborska, conducted with permission from her foundation.

In response to the controversy, Poland's minister of digital affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, emphasized the need for legislation to regulate AI's role in media.

Demski's petition against the layoffs highlighted concerns about the future of experienced media professionals, amassing over 20,000 signatures.

Pulit defended the layoffs, attributing them to a significant drop in listenership, which he described as 'close to zero,' rather than the implementation of AI.

The new AI hosts, Emi, Kuba, and Alex, were designed by journalists with distinct personalities and interests, targeting a younger audience.

The AI project is intended to be temporary, lasting no more than three months, after which its effectiveness will be evaluated.

The restructuring at Radio Krakow reflects broader challenges facing Polish public media, which are grappling with financial difficulties and a new government mandate to depoliticize state media.