A Radio Station Run Almost Entirely by AI
A radio station in Poland has controversially superseded its human presenters with AI hosts, aiming to attract Gen Z audiences.
A radio station in Poland has sparked controversy by replacing human presenters with artificial intelligence in a bold relaunch of one of its channels. Radio Kraków, a state-owned broadcaster, announced that it would launch Poland’s first radio station operated almost entirely by AI. Dubbed OFF Radio Kraków, the new format features AI-generated hosts with distinct personalities, aimed at attracting younger listeners.
The AI presenters include Jakub “Kuba” Zieliński, a 22-year-old acoustic engineering student fascinated with sound production technologies; Emilia “Emi” Nowak, a 20-year-old journalism student and pop culture enthusiast; and Alex Szulc, a virtual character engaged with topics related to identity, queer culture, and the role of media in society. Each AI host is designed to reflect traits associated with Generation Z. The playlists for the station are also generated through AI tools, although a human director approves the final selection.
Radio Kraków has described the venture as an experiment that will evolve over time, inviting public discussion about AI’s potential role in media and its existence as an opportunity or a threat. At the same time, the decision to introduce AI presenters was met with backlash from former staff members of OFF Radio Kraków. Contracts with these employees were terminated in August in favor of the AI-driven initiative, a move that has not gone unnoticed.
One of the former hosts, Mateusz Demski, criticized the decision, stating that it creates a “dangerous precedent” for the media industry. Demski launched a petition highlighting the impact on around a dozen former collaborators, some with nearly a decade of experience at the station. The petition has since gathered over 8,200 signatures, reflecting concerns about the growing presence of AI in media.
Reacting to the debate, Radio Kraków’s editor-in-chief, Marcin Pulit, argued that no employees were officially terminated but that instead, it was the contracts of external collaborators which were not renewed. Pulit explained that the previous version of OFF Radio Kraków had struggled with low listenership and coincided with other programming within the broadcaster’s network. The decision to overhaul the channel and incorporate AI presenters was aimed at revitalizing the station and engaging a younger demographic.
The shift to AI is being framed as a forward-thinking experiment by Radio Kraków, but it has also reignited conversations about the balance between technology and human creativity in media. As the station continues to develop its new format, the broader implications of AI in broadcasting remain a subject of public debate in Poland.