Polish broadcaster OFF Radio Kraków is testing the limits of artificial intelligence, using AI to fully produce content and staff its broadcasts. The radio station’s experimental program centers around three virtual hosts—Emi, Kuba, and Alex—each developed to represent different facets of Gen Z.
These personas, including Emi, a “journalism student“, Kuba who is “studying acoustics”, and Alex, with “a psychology background“, were created by station journalists and brought to life through AI-generated voices and digital avatars.
The station writes on its website:
“The online-digital program OFF Radio Kraków is now created using artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Real people are still behind it, but they are using these tools. This project is our contribution to the debate on the opportunities and risks brought by AI’s development. We want to consider what impact AI’s growth might have on culture, media, journalism, and society.“
AI-Generated News and Automated Music Selection
Beyond hosting, AI also curates OFF Radio Kraków’s music lineup, using trend analysis to match the musical tastes of younger listeners. This approach relies on a type of AI often seen in music streaming platforms, where AI tools assess listening patterns and preferences to suggest playlists. Here, though, human editors add final approval to ensure the selections meet the station’s standards and connect with audiences. The AI-generated news and commentary are also closely monitored, created initially by AI but checked and refined by the editorial team before airing.
Three-Month AI Trial to Study Broadcasting Impact
This AI project is a time-limited trial aimed at understanding artificial intelligence’s impact on media, particularly in radio. For three months, OFF Radio Kraków will test how these AI-generated hosts and curated playlists perform, hoping to learn if AI can enhance or hinder traditional media. Alongside this experiment, discussions on Radio Kraków Kultura will explore artificial intelligence’s implications on society, ethics, and cultural sectors, featuring guest speakers from diverse fields, including science, law, and media. Radio Kraków Kultura is a thematic digital channel operated by Radio Kraków, which began broadcasting in early 2022.
Chief Editor Marcin Pulit stated that the project serves as a “tool for testing AI’s role in media,” stressing that while AI automates some processes, human involvement is crucial for quality control. The experiment also addresses whether AI can introduce a new dimension in media or pose risks to jobs typically reserved for humans.
Concerns Over AI’s Role in Broadcasting and Job Impact
The project’s bold shift has sparked mixed reactions. Shortly after OFF Radio Kraków announced the experiment, a petition against the project appeared, which is already backed by over 22,000 supporters. The initiative is led by Mateusz Demski, a former journalist at the station, who expressed concerns about the implications of such a move for the media industry. The petition highlights fears that AI could replace experienced professionals in creative fields, setting a troubling precedent for the industry as a whole In response, OFF Radio Kraków stated that these job changes were unrelated, attributing them to routine contract expirations.
Labeling AI Content and Navigating Ethical AI Usage
To promote transparency, the station marks all AI-generated segments. As part of the experiment, the station conducted an AI-driven interview with a Nobel Prize winner, a broadcast first for the station. Such applications reflect AI’s potential for engaging media content but also highlight the editorial caution needed to ensure accuracy and respect in interviews and public discourse.
OFF Radio Kraków’s AI broadcasts can be accessed online and via DAB+ frequencies, covering several Polish cities. The AI experiment at OFF Radio may well shape future discussions on artificial intelligence’s role in media, setting an example for other broadcasters exploring the potential—and limits—of technology in storytelling and journalism.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:19 pm CET