WARSAW, Poland — A Polish radio station has sparked significant debate after terminating its staff and reintroducing itself this week with presenters created entirely by artificial intelligence.

OFF Radio Krakow, located in the southern city of Krakow, has stated that it aims to be a pioneer in Poland by utilizing “virtual characters created by AI” to engage with its audience. This shift follows the dismissal of its human journalists in a move the station describes as an innovative experiment aimed at attracting a younger demographic by discussing cultural, social, and artistic topics, notably including LGBTQ+ issues.

Marcin Pulit, the head of the station, posed a critical question in a recent statement: “Is artificial intelligence more of an opportunity or a threat to media, radio, and journalism? We will seek answers to this question.”

The decision to employ AI in place of human journalists has not gone unnoticed, especially after Mateusz Demski, a film critic and former host at the station, wrote an open letter voicing his concerns about the replacement of human employees with artificial intelligence. In his letter, he called it a perilous trend that could lead to the replacement of seasoned media professionals and those in the creative sectors.

Demski has reported that over 15,000 individuals signed his petition by Wednesday morning, expressing their discontent with the changes. He also mentioned receiving numerous phone calls from concerned young people who oppose becoming part of such an experimental initiative.

Having worked at OFF Radio Krakow since February 2022, Demski engaged in interviews with individuals fleeing the war in Ukraine until he and roughly a dozen other journalists were dismissed in August. He articulated his shock at the decision, especially given that the station is publicly funded.

In response, Marcin Pulit clarified that the cutbacks were not due to AI but rather a response to the station’s irregular listener base, which he described as being “close to zero.”

The station’s latest broadcast featured an “interview” where an AI-generated presenter mimicked the voice of Wis?awa Szymborska, a renowned Polish poet and Nobel Laureate who passed away in 2012.

Krzysztof Gawkowski, the minister of digital affairs and deputy prime minister, commented on the developments, stating he had read Demski’s letter and underscoring the need for legislation to regulate AI use. “While I support AI advancements, I believe that certain lines are increasingly being blurred,” he expressed on social media. “The extensive application of AI should serve humanity, not work against it!”