The journalist stresses that artificial intelligence must be approached with great caution. From her perspective, technology should support people, but not replace them in certain fields. She sees it as a tool, not a substitute for humans. AI has no empathy or ability to understand and express emotions, nor does it feel responsibility for its statements.
AI applications stir emotions
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in various areas of our lives stirs many emotions and controversies. Questions are also being raised about the limits of its application.
– Artificial intelligence is developing and, contrary to what we think, it is omnipresent, it's just that we are not aware of it. Of course, there are areas where it is very much needed and useful, for example in medical diagnostics, but I am in favour of using artificial intelligence and new technologies in general with great caution and with the awareness that it can also make mistakes – Martyna Wojciechowska tells the Newseria Lifestyle agency.
Although artificial intelligence is a tool that can undoubtedly bring many benefits, we must not forget about the risks associated with it.
– We must be aware that what surrounds us – images, sounds – does not necessarily have to be something real, created by a human being. So I see many threats in the form of us comparing ourselves, for example, to perfect images, perfect people, when they do not exist in reality at all. Unfortunately, our brain is constructed in such a way that even if we know that it is an image created by artificial intelligence, we have an unbearable tendency to compare ourselves to that ideal – she says.
Controversy in the media
The echoes of the controversial decision by the management of Off Radio Kraków, which replaced journalists with artificial intelligence while at the same time laying off several dozen contributors, are not dying down. Martyna Wojciechowska definitely does not support such actions. Yes, she believes that AI can support journalists in their work, but for many reasons the so-called human element remains irreplaceable in journalism.
– Artificial intelligence starting to replace journalists and artists is a trend that worries me very, very much. It allows the creation of very dangerous deep fakes, the spread of disinformation, misleading people, and we know what impact this has, for example, on election results – we are now observing the American ones with attention. I believe, however, that there is something, that element, that factor X, which artificial intelligence will not replace in this area – she says.
Martyna Wojciechowska stresses that journalism involves responsibility, ethics and the ability to analyse various social situations, assess context and take an objective approach to a topic. And although AI can imitate a person's style of speaking or writing, it lacks authenticity, emotion and the ability to understand human experiences.
– A human's ability to formulate thoughts is something completely different from artificial intelligence, which gives hypothetical answers based on what it once learned. I once asked ChatGPT a question about my hypothetical statements and I really have to admit that the chat quite quickly learned various of my formulations that I had used in the past, and in its statements it used my quotes, but it is not the same thing – she says.
One of OFF Radio Kraków's broadcasts also stirs strong emotions, in which a conversation conducted by AI algorithms with Wisława Szymborska, who died in 2012, appeared. The artificial intelligence asked questions and, playing the role of the Nobel laureate, answered itself. According to Martyna Wojciechowska, this is a clear falsification of reality.
– I would not want any of my interviews to be created by artificial intelligence, because I know perfectly well what I want to say and I have a great sense of responsibility for every word I utter. And is artificial intelligence capable of understanding what responsibility is? I don't think so, at least not now. I can also declare that I have not used and will not use artificial intelligence to write my speeches, texts and posts, nor filters to create my image – she adds.
Company information
Martyna Wojciechowska is a journalist and expert on artificial intelligence who stresses the need for a cautious approach to new technologies. Her activities focus on statements and analyses concerning the impact of AI on media, journalism and society. She serves as a critical voice against replacing people with AI in professions that require empathy, ethics and responsibility.
